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Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Lupus
A large observational cohort study suggests that monitoring hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels is effective in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a target therapeutic range (for HCQ level monitoring) of 750-1150 ng/ml.
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Five Fractures You Don’t Want to Miss
In orthopedic practice, missing the wrong fracture can significantly alter a patient’s outcome. Certain injuries may appear subtle on initial imaging yet carry serious consequences if not promptly recognized and managed. Below are five fractures that warrant a high index of suspicion due to their risk of displacement, nonunion, or long‑term degenerative change.
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Israeli retrospective study of 9736 colchicine Rx FMF pts matched w/ 97 360 controls. On F/U Psoriatic arthritis developed in more FMF pts (43 vs 119) - HR 3.52 (CI: 2.48, 5.0). ^Risk w/ older age, smoking, SES https://t.co/blDIsmHWPC
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Survey of physician assistants finds 56% use AI daily (19% AI extensively). 87% PAs say they need to learn more about AI, 83% desire formal, employer-led AI training. 89% believe AI will dramatically changes PA practice, but only 32% have clear workplace guidelines on AI usage https://t.co/yGqZRC3mNt
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2025 Adult Rheumatology Fellowship Match is Strong (Again)
The ACR announced today that 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match results show rheumatology fellowship positions continuing to fill at high rates. The Match uses a computerized process to pair applicant and https://t.co/1p7o10kLPR
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I Can't Believe it's Not Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis?!
In rheumatology, we're no stranger to uncertainty. In any diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, it's always our invitation to reconsider the diagnosis.
https://t.co/JaLfRha6dq https://t.co/WwT5Q8B5Ad
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APP QD Clinic: Difficult AxSpA
Philip Mease, MD and Christy Vath, PA-C, Seattle discuss a difficult to treat axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) case. This APP QD clinic is presented as part of RheumNow's "Mission: APP Partners in Care" campaign during the month of December. https://t.co/VY0O26l7XC
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Dr, Tuhina Neogi writes its time for a new understanding of OA; its not just wear n tear. Based on preclinical and clinical evidence, OA is a systemic, whole-body disease and that this should change future research and treatment of #OA. https://t.co/gn9xt6CafP https://t.co/2iSKiyiCX4
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British Society of Rheumatology Guideline for Monitoring DMARDs
The British Society of Rheumatology has published an update to their previous 2017 BSR/BHPR guideline regarding the use and monitoring of DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) used to treat systemic https://t.co/iANvir1EFI
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GESPIC - German SpA study of 252 SpA (139 nr- axSpA, 113 r-axSpA), followed w/ serial Xrays and mSASS Scores over 2 yrs. 80% were on NSAIDs. Higher NSAID intake, particularly COX2i, on slowing radiographic progression in axSpA https://t.co/sKgCGaJFVr https://t.co/jMQTAnsCmG
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The 1st Nurse Practitioner program was launched in 1965 (@ Univ Colorado), since then the profession has grown to >461,000 licensed NPs nationwide (up from 385,000 in 2023). ~1 billion patient visits are delivered by NP’s every single year https://t.co/Ma9wHHiy8E https://t.co/gytIMsd2wt
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Retrospective EHR study of 38,327 COVID-19 infx pts & 1,143 whodeveloped post Covid Syndrome (PCC). PCC risk was signif higher in women & obese. Pre-COVID, psoriasis (OR 1.41) & RA (OR 1.64) had incr risk of PCC. Post COVID, more Sjögren’s (OR 4.05) among PCC. https://t.co/0Z48Hy43XY
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PSS & Biomarkers: Dutch international scleroderma trial of 21 pts showed that cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) significantly correlated with modified Rodnan skin score; COMP were associated with mRSS change (r = 0.013) https://t.co/E7SgmIiYmn
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Evaluation of Rheumatic Complaints
https://t.co/dZjD1Y5IBn https://t.co/WwhMbUysZl
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Cases & Guidelines: Tuesday Night Rheumatology
Panelists discuss their approaches to a range of difficult cases in multiple areas, including RA, PsA and PMR. Panelists: Audrey Gibson, PA-C; Benjamin A. Smith, PA-C; Emma Bavage, ANP; Jack Cush, MD
https://t.co/1HPBdPdIVx https://t.co/30Q6azQU3r
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QD Clinic: Weakness with Fibromyalgia
ack Cush, MD and Leilani Law, APN, Dallas, TX, discuss a case about weakness with fibromyalgia and how to best treat the complaints she presents with. This APP QD clinic is presented as part of RheumNow's "Mission: APP Partners in Care" https://t.co/OHeTdemtra
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JAMA reports that by end of 2025, half (52-56%) of USA nonfederal acute care hospitals will use generative AI and predictive AI. Teaching hospitals and EPIC EHR are early adopters, while For-profit and government hospitals were less likely to currently adopt AI. https://t.co/iJib0YjnW3
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Medical Cannabis for Pain Management
Recent research and publications have underscored the use, efficacy, safety and limitations to the use of cannabis for arthritis and pain patients.
https://t.co/kxTDqbzpgg https://t.co/fBumEAgISU
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Roche announced that the European Commission has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro in EU/UK & Gazyva in US) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of adult patients with active Class III or IV, with or without concomitant Class V, lupus nephritis. https://t.co/usUidNVMNY
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Taiwanese retrospective study (2001-2022) of 2,383 PsA pts Rx w/ 1+ DMARDs. Comparing 1,190 bDMARDs vs 1,193 cDMARD Rx pts, bDMARDs assoc. w/ signif lower risk of MACE (HR 0.65), all-cause mortality (0.44), CV mortality (0.54), but more infx related Hosp (1.45) https://t.co/eu7fSVkjZl
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