ACR Statement on CMS Medicare Advantage Final Rule

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 In August 2018, the CMS announced that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans would be allowed to utilize step therapy for Part B drugs. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) expressed strong concerns about this proposal.

RheumNow Podcast – Richer or Poorer (5.17.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com

Racial Disparities in Mortality Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on a registry of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients from two Georgia counties (Fulton and Dekalb) shows SLE mortality was 2-3 times higher compared to the general population, especially amongst blacks; notably deaths occurred sooner after diagnosis

Generic Price Fixing Alleged by State Prosecutors

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The NY Times and 60 Minutes have reported that Connecticut, along with 43 other states, filed a mega-lawsuit accusing the generic drug makers of a massive, systematic conspiracy to bilk consumers out of billions of dollars.

Employed Physicians Outnumber Self-Employed

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For the first time in the United States, employed physicians outnumber self-employed physicians, according to a newly updated study on physician practice arrangements by the American Medical Association (AMA).

Drug Pricing Regulations in US and Canada

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Reuters reports on regulatory efforts by Canada and the US to curb the rising cost of drugs, especially expensive new medicines. 

CDC: One in Four US Adults have Arthritis

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MMWR reports that in 2017, one in four US adults have arthritis (range from 22.8% to 34.6%), with higher rates in Appalachia and Lower Mississippi Valley regions. Of those with arthritis, 31% reported to have "severe arthritis".

Nonadherence is Costly for Patients in Pain

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A comparative cohort study of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), gout, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN), post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and fibromyalgia (FM) shows that nonadherence to pain medications is high and leads to greater overall health care resource utilization and costs. 

Ideal Outcomes are Seldom Achieved in Gout

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Studies from a cohort of gout patients in Mexico shows that long-term goals of a target serum urate (sUA) 6 mg/dL and remission are rare, especially for those with severe gout.

ACR Position Statements on Drug Pricing and Step Therapy

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The American College of Rheumatology Committee on Rheumatologic Care has released new drug pricing and step therapy position statements that they hope legislators will consider as they continue to explore policy and regulatory options to make drugs more affordable and accessible.  

Increasing Prevalence and Consequences of Interstitial Lung Disease in RA

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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been a hot topic in numerous journals recently with reports of increasing incidence and links to disease activity.

RheumNow Podcast – Loretta Lynn Arthritis (3.29.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Artificial Intelligence to Predict Rheumatoid Disease Activity

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A recent study in JAMA Network Open shows that artificial intelligence models can use electronic health record data to prognosticate future patient outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Ironwood Retreats from the US Gout Market

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Ironwood Pharmaceuticals discontinued the marketing and sales of both lesinurad (Zurampic) the combination drug of lesinurad and allopurinol (Duzallo) in the United States effective February 1, 2019.

CRA Position Statement on Medical Cannabis Use

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Courtesy of the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) website, here are consensus guidelines on medical cannabis use.

Rheumatology patients experience prevalent pain that is only modestly controlled with current treatment strategies.

RheumNow Podcast – You Owe Me a DEXA (3.15.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's news and highlights from RheumNow.com.

Lower TNF Inhibitor Persistence in Spondylitis

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A claims data analysis shows that only one-third of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) therapy remain on their initial drug in the 2 years post initiation.

Multiple Delays in Referral of New RA Patients

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A UK study of early onset arthritis or new rheumatoid arthritis patients shows multiple sources of delayed referral to the first rheumatology consultation.

Senate Drills Drug Makers Over Price

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Reuters reported that today, the US Senate Finance Committee met to question the executives from seven US pharmaceutical companies on the rising price drugs in America. 

Impressive Survival of Interleukin-1 Inhibitors in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

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The drug retention rate of interleukin-1 inhibitors (IL-1) used to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) appears to be quite high according to a new study.