Chronic inflammation is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

A recent study reports that obesity is linked to late-onset psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).  By contrast being of normal weight may be associated with an earlier onset of the disease adn HLA-B27.

There is a significant unmet need with regard to counseling and managing SLE and APS patients who become pregnant or who may be planning for pregnancy.

The Washington Post has reported on the variable laws, views and use of marijuana in treating pain.

Currently 1.4 million patients in 28 states use legal medical marijuana for a variety of medical conditions - chronic pain being one.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com:

Joint arthroplasty has grown into a billion dollar industry worldwide. However, optimal timing and the success of total joint replacements in younger patient groups has not been well studied.

Patients often characterize certain foods as  “inflammatory” or “anti-inflammatory” as they combat their arthritis.

Multiple patient- and disease-related factors -- including medication use -- were associated with the development of severe infections among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, a Spanish study found.

This appears to be the year for biologic treatments in giant cell artertis (GCA).

Biosimilar reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists. Many of these items were compiled from news sources, journal articles and regulatory documents and are cited and linked within each section.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's news and information from the 2017 RWCS meeting in Maui.

As a musculoskeletal radiologist, I work every day with rheumatologists. I have been in practice for approximately 17 years and had a musculoskeletal radiology fellowship prior to establishing my practice.

The European Commission has approved Eli Lilly's rheumatoid arthritis drug Olumiant (baricitinib) for use in Europe for RA patients with moderate-to-severe active disease in adults who have not responded one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Articular manifestations of Crohn's disease affects a significant number of patients with either oligoarticular or RA-like polyarthritis or spondyloarthritis.

Treatment of systemic sclerosis is difficult, as there have few proven therapies capable of altering the course of the disease. Ideally, early intervention affords the optimal scenario wherein drug intervention can be proven to work.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that physicians avoid prescribing drugs, especially narcotics, for patients with acute or subacute low back pain.

New research confirms that patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) face significant healthcare and socioeconomic hurdles.

Since its US approval in 2012, tofacitinib has become a widely used treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Whether you're impressed with its efficacy, or distressed with its side effects, its track record is voluminous and has been recently reviewed.

Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news and reports from this week on RheumNow:

Poorer and less-educated older Americans are more likely to suffer from chronic pain than those with greater wealth and more education, but the disparity between the two groups is much greater than previously thought, according to new research.