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Eltrombopag, a Potential New Treatment for ITP
A pilot trial has shown a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag (Promacta), to be effective in connective tissue disease-related (CTD), refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
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Alive in 2025 (1.10.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush brings in the new year with a review of the latest from RheumNow.com
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Network metanalysis of 9 RCTs, 3699 patients looked at small molecule Rx in #PsA. With ACR 50/70, PASI 75, & HAQ-DI @ wk 12-16, UPA was > ADA in PASI75 (RR 1.2); Deucravacitinib > Otezla at HAQ (RR −0.16) no OTHER SIGNIF differences observed https://t.co/T0eMkXrxQX https://t.co/FCkbuhi1ze
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FDA Approves First Generic of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Victoza (liraglutide injection) to Lower Blood Sugar in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes https://t.co/1BYQFU2PsY https://t.co/jmbS9UDnhI
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GLP-1 Agonists Alleviate Knee Osteoarthritis
In October, the NEJM published a randomized clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) in patients with obesity and knee osteoarthritis.
https://t.co/3ETmyFWpWY https://t.co/wn1QDwKi3R
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A Modifiable Vascular Risk in SLE
Atherosclerosis progression was more than 2x as common in younger people with SLE than in healthy controls in a prospective study from Greece.
https://t.co/zGTGin664D https://t.co/ZO9UlIPNIi
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U.S. overdose deaths far outpace other countries. In 2023 US drug overdoses >100,000 for 3rd year — a >50% jump since 2019. 2022 rate=324/1 million. High rates attributed to fentanyl, polysubstance use, counterfeit pills, variance in state policies on harm reduction… https://t.co/oHtiMytdtR https://t.co/DLFPYEkdRC
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Online, lifestyle intervention program shown to have positive long-term effects in 264 patients w/ Inflam Arthritis, OA & FM , even after 2-yrs. Prg focused on nutrition, exercise, relaxation & sleep. Signif reductions in Wt, BMI, and PRO's (pain, Am stiff, fatigue)… https://t.co/vghObYPnvW https://t.co/ZSdFPWel57
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Leeds study of 19 pts at-risk for RA (ACPA+ & arthralgia) finds low-diversity gut microbiome & in the 10 mos preceding the transition to RA, microbiome becomes more unstable w/ accumulation of Prevotellaceae, particularly Prevotella copri https://t.co/Va9Z0NWHj9 https://t.co/ciM7QtEF5S
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Study of 1032 adults > 50 yrs on dialysis compared denosumab vs or oral bisphosphonates. 3 yr results showed compared with oral bisphosphonates, denosumab lowered the risk for fractures by 45% and increased the risk for MACE by 36% https://t.co/aogIFBrccy https://t.co/cnlxt5OEjj
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Anti-Zoster Drug Prevents Shingles in Lupus Patients on Anifrolumab
The antiviral drug valaciclovir (Valtrex), given prophylactically, kept patients with SLE under treatment with anifrolumab (Saphnelo) from having herpes zoster attacks, researchers said, offering a potential… https://t.co/I3u8tK5EMq https://t.co/VItPWtrPUA
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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/IB7aS6IKgT https://t.co/0zN5N7w65l
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Steroids and Infection
https://t.co/J8OU6I9410 https://t.co/JwpSrS4ouI
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Systematic review of 208 pts w/ IgG4–related disease & pachymeningitis - mean age 52 yrs; 2/3 male. HA & cranial nerve dysfunctions were most common Sxs. nearly half had systemic Dz. Abnl imaging of cavernous sinus and middle fossa. Incr. IgG4 in 65% w/ CSF pleocytosis in 52%… https://t.co/0TberfIXsH https://t.co/6k5QgGTnkw
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Marketscan claims data study assessed fall risk in 57 086 older adult starting gabapentin vs duloxetine & found gabapentin was not associated with increase in falls. At 6-mos, gabapentin had lower risk of falls (HR 0.52; 0.43 to 0.64]. https://t.co/agrdzkxNdL https://t.co/Te981iDMZU
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Nipocalimab, a mAb that blocks FcRn, was granted a Priority Review from the FDA. J&J has submitted Biologics License Application (BLA) for the treatment of antibody positive (anti-AChR, anti-MuSK, anti-LRP4) myasthenia gravis based on Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 study.… https://t.co/6sVbrgTBvF https://t.co/9a1dBWz87R
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Does Colchicine Lower Gout Mortality Risk?
Data from a large UK database finds that gout patients starting urate-lowering therapy (ULT) will benefit from added colchicine prophylaxis by having fewer cardiovascular events.
https://t.co/89BXT5OnVS https://t.co/N4IQzRpcPk
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EULAR: Considerations when Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Rheumatologic Care
EULAR has established guidance on best practices for delivering patient education in physical activity and self-management of pain during transitional care in rheumatology.… https://t.co/eIqbIENFNV https://t.co/NWjiapEPvP
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Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases in the United States
An epidemiologic assessment of the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the United States (US) finds that nearly 5% of the population has an autoimmune disorder, twice as many in women compared to men.… https://t.co/L5BusRvcFP https://t.co/JTw8CXf1Tq
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🚨 Just 4 weeks until #RheumNowLive 2025! 🚨
📅 Feb 8-9 | Dallas, TX
Don’t miss 1.5 days of cutting-edge #rheumatology education, interactive sessions, and unmatched networking!
🧠 Expert insights:
🔹 EGPA care innovations (Dr. Wechsler)
🔹 Vasculitis imaging… https://t.co/ObHBj1dQoK https://t.co/UuDZxBhdLr
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)