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Diabetics using SGLT2 Inhibitors have a lower Gout Risk
Researchers from the Brigham and Women's Hospital have reported that adults with type 2 diabetes who were treated with SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of gout compared to GLP1 agonist, suggesting that sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors may reduce the risk for gout with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Read ArticleRheumatologists Ranked #1 in Happiness (Again)
Medscape has reported the results of its 2020 annual physician survey, This year rheumatologists (60%), general surgeons (60%), public health and preventive medicine physicians, and allergists/immunologists are the "happiest" outside of work compared to other specialists, according to Medscap
Read ArticleBest Practice Recommendations in Musculoskeletal Care
A group of Western Australian clinicians have set out to assess current practices and proved guidance recommendations for high-quality care for the most common musculoskeletal (MSK) pain scenarios encountered by clinicians in emergency and primary care.
Read ArticleACR-Arthritis Foundation Treatment Guidelines for Osteoarthritis
Today, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation (AF), released the 2019 ACR/AF Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip and Knee.
Read ArticleBest of 2019 - War on RA - Part 1: Walk on the Moon
It’s a great time to be a rheumatologist and to manage RA. But, if you keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve got.
Read ArticleBest of 2019 - War on RA - Part 3: Useless Drugs
We have options that are endless – we have 28 biologics in rheumatology; 19 approved for RA in the last 20 years, but 15 of these are me-too copies or biosimilars. We currently have 2 JAK inhibitors and may have 3 or 4 by year end. But what we really need is the right drug, at the right time, in the right patient – but how will we know.
Read ArticleBest of 2019 - New EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria for SLE
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have jointly developed new classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); prompted by the need for criteria that were both highly sensitive and specific. The net result is improved sensitivity and specificity, but the use of positive ANA requirement along with a longer list of weighted criteria ensures its utility in SLE research (including early or latent SLE), but not clinical practice.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Merry Lupus XMAS (12.20.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news from the past week on RheumNow.com, just in time for Christmas!
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Better Ways to Treat Gout (11.8.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleIn RA, Activity Protects Cognition
Physical activity appeared to be protective against the development of cognitive impairments among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a prospective cohort study found.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Ghastly, Ghoulish News (10.31.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews recent journal articles and info bits from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleCommon Physician HIPAA Violations
A nice review by Physician Sense and MDLinx discusses potential physician violations of current HIPAA law, largely driven by the digital age and common work flows. Several mistakes you you be aware of and avoid, include:
Read ArticleIncreasingly Women are Choosing Subspecialty Careers
JAMA Internal Medicine has an analysis of the growing trend of more women enrolling in medical schools in the last few decades, such that more than half of US Med school matriculants in 2017 were women. Also in 2017, 42% of residents in internal medicine were women. The reported analy
Read ArticleArthritis Foundation Releases First CBD Guidance for Adults With Arthritis
As the leading organization for people with arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation has just released the first CBD guidance for adults with arthritis. CBD, or cannabidiol, a plant-based compound, has become popular among people with arthritis seeking to ease chronic joint pain.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Believe in Vitamin D or Rituximab? (9.20.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleFEAR: A Perception of Fact In Spite of the Fiction
Pregnancy for patients with lupus has long been considered high risk and associated with both medical and obstetric complications, but outcomes have improved over the last 2 decades and continue to improve.
Read ArticleACR Survey Shows Half of Patients Cannot Afford Treatments
Americans living with rheumatic disease face significant healthcare challenges, according to a national patient survey released this week by the American College of Rheumatology. More than 1,500 U.S. adults living with rheumatic disease responded to the survey, which asked a range of questions related to healthcare access, affordability and lifestyle. Key findings include that even though 90 percent of respondents reported having health insurance coverage, nearly 60 percent said they had difficulty affording their medications or treatments in the past year.
Read ArticleNeed for Pre-operative Hyperglycemia Testing Prior to Total Joint Replacement
JAMA reports on a large Medicare cohort study showing that amongst patients undergoing total joint replacement (TJR), preoperative HbA1c testing was performed in 26% to 43% of patients with diabetes and in only 5% of those without diabetes. Importantly research has shown that an elevated HbA1c level is associated with postoperative complications.
Read ArticleModifiable Risk Factors for Hyperuricemia
Choi and colleagues have shown that four modifiable risk factors (BMI, the DASH diet, alcohol use, and diuretic use) could individually account for a notable proportion of observed hyperuricemia.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast - I Wanna New Drug (8-30-19)
Dr. Jack Cush vents on choosing new therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.
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