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Pregnancy-Related Deaths in the US
A CDC cross-sectional national study showed an increase in pregnancy-related deaths in the US from 2018 to 2022, with highest rates among American Indian, Alaska Native women, and non-Hispanic Black women.
Read ArticleYoga vs Strengthening Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis
A randomized clinical trial in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients showed both yoga and strengthening improved knee pain over 12 weeks, with no difference between groups.
Read ArticleRA Prevention through Deep Immunophenotyping
Researchers at the University of Colorado have identified pathogenic immune phenotypes in at-risk populations for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Read Article
MMWR: While PRE-overdose opioid prescribing is a risk marker for fatal overdose from opioids alone, stimulants alone, or both; PRE-overdose stimulant prescribing might not be a risk marker for fatal overdose attributable to stimulants. https://t.co/ReVbpligeT https://t.co/PnjeqaCySX
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Diagnostically, Xrays are effective & sufficient at Diagnosing chronic low back pain; X-rays predicted MRI results in approximately 75% of the cases for common low back pain problems suggesting they may be a preferred initial imaging study for this condition. https://t.co/PYzd1zXIRz
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Inebilizumab, an anti-CD19+ (B cell)mAb was tested in myasthenia gravis in phase 3, 238 pt trial and shows to signif. improv function and reduce disease severity in acetylcholine recpt Ab+ or muscle-specific kinase Ab+ myasthenia gravis pts. https://t.co/vBBjf8AUug https://t.co/cUbK4PJEvf
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EMA's EudraVigilance (safety) database study of 10,319 MTX reports (age: 62 yrs, 73% F). Adverse rxns (ADR): 365 kidney & 1,082 liver related. MTX renal ADRs were older, w/ comeds (NSAIDs, Tylenol, metamizole, steroids). More deaths w/ renal ADRs than liver(21% vs 6%); mostly w/ https://t.co/tQ9PSOTtyx
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EMA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for use in the EU to treat adult patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) - approval is based on data from the Phase 3 SELECT-GCA trial demonstrating sustained remission and key secondary endpoints https://t.co/Y2tyZPC9Et https://t.co/SHPz2Q94Vs
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JAMA Staphylococcus aureus Review
- s. aureus bacteremia leads to septic arthritis (7%), vertebral osteomyelitis (≈4%)
- bacteremia (≥48 hs) has 39% 90-day mortality risk
https://t.co/1UQoz7JDPU https://t.co/xTAkakv2he
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185 children with SLE (cSLE) were analyze for long-term outcomes. 38 (20.54%) had serositis. Pts w/ serositis were younger, had more Dz activity, acomorbidities, & mortality. Having both serositis and ESRD increased risk of poor 20 Yr survival. https://t.co/fw8wcuS48E https://t.co/LgS3Sxy7gd
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EPIC EHR data assessed pre- & post-COVID. Pt messaging increased w/ pandemic & remained elevated, w/ no change in pt phone calls. MD EHR time/wk increased for all MDs, post COVID-19: (PCP +6.5%), subspecialists (+9.9%), surgeons (+5.2%). https://t.co/j8zwPkdmp9 https://t.co/SyYpZwnMfN
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Korean insurance claims study (2008–2021) 183,212 psoriasis & PsA pts, found Biologic Rx assoc w/ lower risk of new-onset & recurrent MACEs vs phototherapy (adj HR, 0.45 & 0.34). Nonbiologic systemic Rx lowered MACE risk (v photoRx) only in pts w/ prior Hx MACE (0.79) https://t.co/08wNm1AbpC
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2nd Opinions in Rheumatology
https://t.co/KqXFBJPOAQ https://t.co/QGXxkXVp3T
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Does DMARD Rx affect neurocognitive function in older pts? bDMARDs targeting TNF-α & IL-6 may mitigate neuroinflammation & preserve cognitive function. But, cognitive impact of csDMARDs (MTX) is complex, w/ conflicting reports on its role in vascular dementia. https://t.co/6uMmOOdRoF
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ACP: Best Practice Advice on Cannabis or Cannabinoids Use for Chronic Noncancer Pain
The American College of Physicians published a best practice advisory on cannabis or cannabinoids in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
https://t.co/5OxXvCOVtD https://t.co/l5PaDRHZQh
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Mindfulness and CBT improve chronic low back pain
Behavioral interventions were associated with reduced pain and daily opioid use and improved function and quality of life for up to 12 months among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain, according to a new randomized https://t.co/e4jLNwNBy3
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185 children with SLE (cSLE) were analyze for long-term outcomes. 38 (20.54%) had serositis. Pts w/ serositis were younger, had more Dz activity, acomorbidities, & mortality. Having both serositis and ESRD increased risk of poor 20 Yr survival. https://t.co/tnYgg6MNXp https://t.co/zJor1oTFfD
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

EMA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for use in the EU to treat adult patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) - approval is based on data from the Phase 3 SELECT-GCA trial demonstrating sustained remission and key secondary endpoints https://t.co/ycPNuB8C8y https://t.co/MCJNltn8Lj
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An Epidural Letdown (4.4.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on https://t.co/V10S4oVFsv.
https://t.co/YDxQWukJ5U https://t.co/Pr7tG5rU0R
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Danish registry study of 1431 AAV pts ((median age: 69 yrs, 52M; F/U 4.8 yrs) shows AAV had more LVH (17% vs 12%), ST-T (10% vs 7%), aFib (9.6% vs 7.5%), QTc prolong (6% vs 3.6%). Only AAV w/ major ECG abnls had incr risk of CV mortality [HR 1.99; 1.49-2.65) https://t.co/OB8b9pC6kw
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