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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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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.
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Benefit of Achieving Target Serum Urate Levels in Gout with Chronic Kidney Disease
A cohort study of gout patients with CKD stage 3 found that lowering serum urate (SUA) level to less than 6 mg/dL, lowered the risk for severe or end-stage kidney disease progression.
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ICYMI: VITAL Info on Autoimmune Disease (2.9.2024)
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)".
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Sedentary Behavior Increases the Risk of Gout
NHANES national survey study shows that sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor for gout, especially in those without hyperuricemia.
Best of 2024: Mixed Long-term Effects of Calcium and Vitamin D in Postmenopausal Women
A follow-up analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements among postmenopausal women was associated with decreased risk for cancer mortality, but increased risk for cardiovascular disease mortality. The analysis is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Best of 2024: Efficacy of Biologics in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
A retrospective cohort study of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) persistence in rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic kidney disease, shows the 3 year survival to be under 50% but that all studied biologics were nearly equivalents with regard to safety and efficacy.
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Best of 2024: Consensus Statements on Vitamin D
The “Controversies in Vitamin D” International Conference has published their proceedings on vitamin D metabolism, assessment, actions, and supplementation. Interestingly, optimal levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are still being debated.
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Bah Humbug Vitamin D (12.20.2024)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Best of 2024: Diagnosing Seronegative Sjogren's Disease
Sjögren disease (SjD) is highly prevalent, but diagnosis may be challenged if anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy are negative. A recent cohort analysis suggests a novel autoantibody profile has predictive value SSA negative SjD and also in those with a positive labial biopsy.
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