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Sattar et al. has published an informative overview of the effect of obesity on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). They estimate that nearly 70% of RMD patients are overweight or obese.
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2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians. While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list (in no particular order) of 2024 developments and desires that may change rheumatologic practices.
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Annals of Internal Medicine has published a Japanese administrative claims database study showing that, compared with oral bisphosphonates (BIS), denosumab (DEN) lowered fracture risk by 45%, but increased the risk for major adverse cardia
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People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis have a higher risk of death than people with arthritis who do not have COPD, according to a new study.
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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory actions from the past week on RheumNow.com
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and worsening lung function, has a poor prognosis. An estimated 21% of IPF deaths might be attributable to occupational exposures.
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A current review in the Journal of Thoracic Disease on relapsing polychondritis (RP), suggests that while this rare disorder may have an uncertain pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutical management has improved.
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A US study shows that nearly two-thirds of the population had suboptimal 5-year sleep duration trajectories with a resultant 29% increase in risk of all-cause mortality.
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A study from the Lupus Hopkins Cohort shows that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pericarditis are at risk for recurrence, and likely to be younger patients, with uncontrolled disease, and linkage to higher doses of oral prednisone.
Dr. John Cush
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Veterans Admin (VA) EHR study of #RA-associated ILD (n 1047), matched 237 RA-ILD pts who Rx w/ TNFi vs 237 Rx w/ non-TNF biologics (mean age 68y; 92% male). Death & Resp hospitalisation were similar (adj HR 1·21, 1·27), as was mortality (1·15), Resp mortality (1·38) https://t.co/03LV5B4FSV
Dr. John Cush
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Increased Mortality In Arthritis Patients with COPD
A new study published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, finds that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease… https://t.co/6WCtfcrSaq https://t.co/ydVtBxqy37
Dr. John Cush
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Retrospective review of 781#RA pts; 78 Dx w/ILD (77 subclinical, most UIP on HRCT). w/ mean 10 yrs F/U, death rate was 1.5 vs. 7.1 per 100PY (without v with ILD) SMR equal betw RA & gen pop. but 2x higher in RA w/ ILD. Mortality higher w/ ILD (HR~3), age and low BMI… https://t.co/Vj0acewmK8 https://t.co/N1wHTjMfTr
Dr. John Cush
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Still's Dz Afro-Caribbean study of 58 pts (57% AOSD). Sex differed betw kids F 36% vs F71% in adults. Kids had signif more typical skin rashes (100 vs 29%), coronary artery dilation (16 vs 0%), & MAS (52 vs 9%). Adults signif more polyarthalgia (91 vs 32%) & lung dz (51 vs 4%).… https://t.co/AYKNazgio5 https://t.co/1yQgeMiwku
Dr. John Cush
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MMWR: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Mortality in the United States
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and worsening lung function, has a poor prognosis. An estimated 21% of IPF deaths might be attributable to occupational… https://t.co/FQpotKrgzR https://t.co/hruzwcD1E6
Dr. John Cush
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A Review of Relapsing Polychondritis
A current review in the Journal of Thoracic Disease on relapsing polychondritis (RP), suggests that while this rare disorder may have an uncertain pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutical management has improved.… https://t.co/keacvqjlU7 https://t.co/TkYwNnYtxF
Dr. John Cush
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FDA grants priority reviews to:
- Nicalizumab (J&J; FcRn antibody) for use in Myasthenia gravis.
- Upadacitinib (AbbVie; JAK inhib) for use in GCA
- Namistat (BI: PDE4B inhib) for use in Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Inalizumab (Hansen; anti-CD19) for use in IG4 rel Dz
-… https://t.co/dsg9vZASrk https://t.co/8t2USASmm8
Dr. John Cush
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Recurrent Pericarditis in Lupus
A study from the Lupus Hopkins Cohort shows that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pericarditis are at risk for recurrence, and likely to be younger patients, with uncontrolled disease, and linkage to higher doses of oral… https://t.co/hML8NfhBy3 https://t.co/cKX5KaSg3a
Dr. John Cush
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UK MRCP exam makeup:
Cardio 15%
Pharm 15%
Resp 10%
GI 10%
Neuro 10%
ID 8%
Endo 8%
RHEUM 6%
Heme 5%
Renal 5%
Derm 4%
Eye 2%
Psych 2% https://t.co/WG7X3B8a0Y https://t.co/9VF5LkLJjs
Dr. John Cush
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National Statistics analysis (2020-22)of 3.6 million US workers shows MDs & HCP had lower age/sex adjusted mortality rates vs non-HCPs. In nonHCPs, mortality is lower in females (HR 0.55), but in MD/HCP females its equal (HR 0.97; more CA +respt) & MD/HCP Black higher than whites… https://t.co/gmPJEN4xs0 https://t.co/7QpTZko8GP
Dr. John Cush
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Risk Prediction Modeling in MDA5 Dermatomyositis
Patients with Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) positive dermatomyositis (DM) are complicated and prone to interstitial lung disease, poor prognosis, and a high mortality. A new study suggests a risk prediction… https://t.co/v20ZCVZUQE https://t.co/GmWWQDpWUU
