Early RA Journey - Patient Perspectives and Uncertainties

Save

Canadian early RA (ERA) patients were interviewd to depict their perspectives from onset and diagnosis to referral and care. This report highlights the importance of patient pain and primary care physician (PCP) intake and referral. PCP and HCP delays in referral to a specialist still exist.

EULAR Review of Lifestyle Improvements for Rheumatic Patients

Save

A EULAR taskforce has evaluated the effect of lifestyle behaviors in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and concluded that there is moderate evidence for a small benefit for certain dietary components, but overall, high-level evidence regarding dietary exposures on outcomes in RMDs is lacking.

Weight Loss Drugs and the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass

Save

A recent commentary published in The Lancet journal highlights the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use o

Virtual Yoga Effective in Chronic Low Back Pain

Save

A randomized trial of 140 adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) demonstrated that virtual yoga instruction resulted in significant improvements in CLBP patients compared to the wait-list control group. 

Medscape 2024 Medical Student Experience Survey

Save

Medscape has published a survey overview of US Medical Student impressions and experiences, satisfaction, what they think of their education and how prepared are they for the USMLE (boards) and residency.

ANA+ consult (10.18.2024)

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.

Men and Women Process Pain Differently

Save

Men and women experience pain relief differently; a new study may help explain why women have more chronic pain and are less responsive to opioid treatments.

ACR and Congress Address “Damaging” Cuts to Medicare MD Payments

Save

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today commended the 233 bipartisan representatives who signed a letter urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to support legislative action to address “damaging” payment cuts to physicians in

Run-Walk Exercise May Help Lower Back Pain

Save

Adults younger than age 45 with chronic, nonspecific lower back pain saw significant pain relief with a structured run-walk program in a randomized trial.

Efficacy of Acupuncture for Sciatica

Save

Real Chinese acupuncture was more effective than a sham version for treating sciatica stemming from herniated spinal disks in a randomized trial conducted in China.

Mucosal Disruptions as Initiators of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Save

Many have suggested that microbiome and mucosal disruptions are contributors to autoimmunity, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is partly represented in what is known as the "mucosal hypothesis" to RA. A current review article by Hollers, et al. addresses how distinct mucosal endotypes can serve as drivers or initiators of RA.

2023 EULAR Recommendations on Management of Fatigue

Save

ASAS Imaging Recommendations for Suspected Spondyloarthritis

Save

ASAS (Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society) has convened specialized task force to guide imaging request on patients with suspected/known axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

EULAR/PReS Still's Disease Management Recommendations

Save

Since 2022, EULAR and the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (PReS) have been working to establish clinical practice guidelines for the diagnostics and management of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). 

Limited Efficacy of Muscle Relaxants for Chronic Pain

Save

A systematic review of long-term muscle relaxant use for chronic pain suggests they may be effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia, cramps, and neck pain, but not fibromyalgia, low back pain, and other pain syndromes.