Abatacept has been studied in seropositive clinically suspect arthralgia patients (at risk for rheumatoid arthritis) and shows the potential to delay or prevent the disease. 

The antidiabetic and weight-loss drug semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) either does or does not help patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) avoid complications and other poor outcomes, according to two retrospective studies presented here.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Highlights are summarized by three songs: "Stairway to Heaven", "You're No Good", and "How Long (has this been going on)".

In the 2 years that followed the termination of the VITAL study, the preventative effect of vitamin D on incident autoimmune disease disappeared with supplement discontinuation; but n-3 fatty acid treated individuals had a sustained benefit in reducing the risk of autoimmune disease.

A study from a large metropolitan registry of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients showed several racial and/or ethnic groups are underrepresented and demonstrate differences in disease activity.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week we discuss hipsters undergoing hip replacement, pregnancy outcomes in RA and the future of academic clinicians.

A cross-sectional survey of academic physicians shows that approximately one-third intend to leave their institutions in the next two years. Burnout, lack of professional fulfillment, and other personal and organizational factors were associated with intention to leave.

Low back pain is a major cause of disability around the globe, with more than 570 million people affected. In the United States alone, health care spending on low back pain was $134.5 billion between 1996 and 2016, and costs are increasing.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), on behalf of over 9,100 rheumatologists and rheumatology professional team members, applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for finalizing its Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes for Medicare Adva

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. How good (or not) are rheumatologists and what to do about MTX nodulosis?

SPACE study of adults referred to rheumatology with less than 2 years of chronic back pain (CBP), shows that only one-third can be reliably diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Prior authorizations and paperwork are killing medical providers; the good news is that a new CMS rule may lessen the burden.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that they have finalized the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule, designed to improve prior authorization processes and reduce burden on patients, providers, and payers, with a resultant $15 billion of estimated savings over ten years.

EULAR has published the 2023 updated recommendations for the optimal non-pharmacological management of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights, advances and hot topics in rheumatology from 2023 and the RheumNow website.  

2023 was a year of growth and new horizons while returning to operational and practice standards (in care and education) established before the pandemic.  

In 2023, too many of our rheumatology colleagues passed away. Here is an incomplete list of our revered fellow practitioners, mentors, role-models, and researchers.

Last Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Florida’s plan to import certain prescription drugs directly from Canada.  Florida is the first time a state to undertake this pathway to save money.

Sarcopenia commonly has been linked to aging and arthritis and contributes significantly to quality of life and outcomes, but the association between sarcopenia and OA has not been well established.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Be sure to catch the early registration break for 2024 RheumNow Live.

Arthritis & Rheumatology has published a new study that suggests knee or hip osteoarthritis patients who are overweight or obese may have less premature death if slow to moderate rate of weight loss results from anti-obesity medications.

The role of thromboprophylaxis following total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is uncertain and consensus is lacking. A recent study suggests that thromboprophylaxis strategies should be tailored to individual risk of thrombosis and bleeding.