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Infectious Sacroiliitis
A large Chinese cohort study of patients with infectious sacroiliitis (SI) suggests that CT-guided biopsy of the sacroiliac joint is necessary to properly identify the infectious pathogen leading to SI.
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Weak Data (1.24.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, and features Dr. Charity Dean, the Keynote speaker at RheumNow Live 2025, and why she is an inspiration.
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Fallen Angels (1.17.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com; and pays homage to colleagues who passed away in 2024.
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Best of 2024: Upside/Downside of Steroids in Lupus Nephritis
A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis demonstrates both the benefits and harms to early glucocorticoid regimens on lupus outcomes.
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Best of 2024: Inadequate Zoster Vaccination in Immunocompromised Patients
A VA study of shows that recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) vaccination in immunocompromised patients or those receiving immunosuppressive medications is insufficient, given these are high risk individuals.
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54K Peptic Ulcers Annually (12.13.2024)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com
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Korean Biologics (KOBIO) registry showed SpA pts have higher risk of infection. 2,129 AS pts (7108 PY FU) most common was respiratory infx (26/1000 PY), followed by herpes zoster (6/1000 PY) Risk includes age, ischemic CV Dz, diabetes, CKD, peripheral arthritis.… https://t.co/0j1fH7OymW https://t.co/gqa1csylsn
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Outcomes of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
A nationwide cohort study of patients with MIS-C, a life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, showed that many had severe disease during the acute phase, but most recovered quickly and had a reassuring… https://t.co/qbV4Z8SX0x https://t.co/VUD5KHeXZH
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Among SLE pts, males have a higher risk of infection compared to females. Males have a (6X) higher prevalence of pneumonia and women have more urinary tract infections. Retrospective study of 119 SLE pts (107 females, 12 males) https://t.co/dhq3yoFUi8 https://t.co/Lf1X2k0Gte
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CDC/ACIP 2025 new Immunization recommendations w/ new vaccine recs for COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal serogroup B, pneumococcal, & RSV. Influenza vaccines have been changed from the quadrivalent to trivalent formulations. https://t.co/Kh1NXMuhVU https://t.co/CRq87PZ31j
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Among SLE pts, males have a higher risk of infection compared to females. Males have a (6X) higher prevalence of pneumonia and women have more urinary tract infections. Retrospective study of 119 SLE pts (107 females, 12 males) https://t.co/M12G7hT340 https://t.co/SG7eSGzpXh
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Pan American Health Org announces that in 2024 saw largest dengue epidemic in the Americas, >12.6 million cases reported (3x record in 2023); 21,000 severe w/ 7,700 deaths; 90% from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico. Most USA cases (FL, HI, TX, AZ, CA) seen in travelers… https://t.co/nhuJIP9Y8v https://t.co/QLju8uRKZ8
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Steroids and Infection
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In #RA, Higher levels of ESR and CRP, but not DAS28, joint counts or global assessments, were significantly associated with the risk of incident ILD in RA. German biologics (RABBIT) registry study compared 139 RA-ILD vs vs 686 controls. https://t.co/Ul4HZ1hzS0 https://t.co/GLKL7U4ASt
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Metanalysis of 41 studies, & 5343 AAV pts showed 55% (2890) had infection; 36% w/ severe infxn. This included PJP, aspergillosis, candidiasis, HZ, CMV, etc. Pulmonary most common. Risk factors included older, ESRD, DM, smoking, Renal or lung involvement https://t.co/yHo5BNlbiL https://t.co/R2je32YYGy
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Biomarker Study of 171 synovial fluid samples (54 primary OA, 57 RA, 30 Crystal,30 septic arthritis) examined the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) to IL-8 ratio and found it can differentiate primary OA and inflamm arthritis w/ sensitivity 87% and specificity 89%… https://t.co/UH77DFgAlJ https://t.co/MfXQcl0BhW
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Metanalysis of 41 studies, & 5343 AAV pts showed 55% (2890) had infection; 36% w/ severe infxn. This included PJP, aspergillosis, candidiasis, HZ, CMV, etc. Pulmonary most common. Risk factors included older, ESRD, DM, smoking, Renal or lung involvement https://t.co/4TtnP5wGc4 https://t.co/RatBXPUk7a
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Dengue fever, a mosquitoborne viral illness, is increasing worldwide; during 2024, approximately 13 million cases have been reported in the Americas. 2010–2024, a total of 15,077 (38.6%) patients were hospitalized But the fatality rate is unchanged. 2023 DENV-3 recent outbreak in… https://t.co/BKrEmN4F6G https://t.co/WIXaPeex8Z
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Chikungunya marches on, at a cost
A recent article from BMC Global Health suggests that between 2011 and 2020, the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya, has disabled millions and likely amassed close to $50 billion in healthcare and disability-related costs in 110 countries.… https://t.co/TnDObv1obT https://t.co/yjMeBODuFv
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In US, peptic ulcer disease affects 1% of population w/ ~ 54 000admitted to hospital annually w/ bleeding peptic ulcers. But only 10% of PUD pts present w/ upper abdominal pain. Prime causes are Helicobacter pylori infection (42%) & NSAID use (36%) https://t.co/0VvA7lI0MQ https://t.co/YWv4SDNVLC
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