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Tramadol not effective at chronic pain

d EurekAlert!

The strong opioid painkiller, tramadol, is not that effective at easing chronic pain for which it’s widely prescribed, finds a pooled data analysis of the available research, published online in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine.

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Osteoporosis Screening in High-Risk Men

d Jack Cush, MD

A Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Systems study of older male veterans found benefits of a remote model of screening that significantly improved osteoporosis screening, treatment, and adherence compared with usual care, with high patient and clinician acceptance.

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Optimizing DMARD Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

d Jack Cush, MD

A phase IV trial from Spain demonstrates that optimization of therapy by lessening biological DMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be feasible, with a low risk of flare.

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RA Hands Difficult deformity

Not all difficult-to-treat RA will have rapid radiographic progression

d Jack Cush, MD

A study of radiographic outcomes in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA) and poly-refractory RA (pr-RA) show a subset in whom damage is rapid and in need of more aggressive therapy.

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dna

Sequencing DNA to find new lupus treatments

d EurekAlert!

Medical University of South Carolina geneticist Betty Tsao, Ph.D., will lead a five-year project to identify rare mutations associated with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, with more than $3.5 million in funding from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Tsao holds the Richard M. Silver Endowed Chair for Inflammation Research in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at MUSC.

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Associations in Rheumatology (10.3.2025) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and important associations in rheumatology from the past week on RheumNow. https://t.co/pnLoquR4By https://t.co/PKJuxMGrZy

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Prospective study of 62 lupus nephritis pts rx w/ induction therapy - MMF vs IV CYC x 6 mos followed by MMF for next 6 mos. At 1 year complete renal remission (CRR) seen in 77% MMF vs 29% CYC. https://t.co/wG2Qrn1PSU https://t.co/gP8XYO4q92

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Ethnic Minority Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium registry study of 1315 RA pts (Dz duration 10yrs) incl 29% Blacks found Blacks in less remission(~2-fold by DAS28), more mod-hi dz activity, & frequently met active disease eligibility for RCTs. https://t.co/SfkVUB1GBz https://t.co/OwvmALHPFA

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German survey of 124 AOSD pts - Dz duration 7 yrs (Dx delay 2 yrs), 2/3 on biologics, 84% responding, 81% inactive by CRP. MDs report 35% of pts Sx-free. More Patients report Persistent Sxs LBP (39.5%), fatigue/weakness (39%), & joint inflammation (27%). https://t.co/2FGUPrhB8H
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Phase 3 RCT Cannabis sativa DKJ127 (VER-1) in 820 chronic low back pain (cLBP) pts. Primary endpt at wk 12 showed pain reduction of −1.9 NRS VER-01 vs −0.6 PBO (P < 0.001). Pain further decreased to −2.9 w/ 6 mos OL Rx. VER-1 was well tolerated. No addiction https://t.co/IeCV8tU2WR
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Systematic review of obesity management meds - 56 RCTs (60,307 pts). All OMMs were better at total weight loss than PBO (P < 0.0001), >10% semaglutide & tirzepatide (both effective at NIDDM CHF). Semaglutide effective reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis https://t.co/nbdZfBDukE
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ILD in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Moving Toward Better Outcomes JDM is typically recognized for its striking skin rashes, vasculopathy, and muscle inflammation. Less visible, but equally significant, is lung involvement. ILD is increasingly acknowledged as a critical driver of https://t.co/vNGWAB88Mc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Approves Deuruxolitinib for use in adult patients with moderate to severe Alopecia Areata https://t.co/D6KXtDjfHL https://t.co/2WSIBWNexX

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Guselkumab FDA Approved for Pediatric Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis FDA announced yesterday that guselkumab (Tremfya) is approved for use in pediatric patients moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) or active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in children six years and older https://t.co/GHjCgqHaJC
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
What is IPAF? Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features - or IPAF - describes patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, but they don’t meet a diagnosis of a CTD. https://t.co/ThU4pq27MU https://t.co/AOa5PALJst

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🆕 ILD (Part III): clinical practice focus 🔬 Diagnostic challenges 🧑⚕️ Case-based learning 📈 Evidence & outcomes 🌍 Global perspectives ⬇️ Download & learn more: https://t.co/WhpVzAfPDD Created by @MithuRheum | For our Rheum to Breathe: ILD Campaign https://t.co/4CL9mX9D6Y

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Post hoc analysis of Gout (CARES) trial (rx w/ ULT) showed remission @ 1yr increased from 37% to 63% at yr 6. In 6 yrs, 59% achieved remission 1+ times. Remission was signif assoc w/ age, race, Hi Dz severity, comorbidities, and febuxostat treatment https://t.co/uTOkch8VW6 https://t.co/Ykc7JV6m7r

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
There is no consensus on flare definition in PSA. Review of 12 #PsA studies shows flare prevalence ranged 7% to 10%, w/ incidence was 22–23%. Over 12 mos, current patient-reported flare = 10%, physician-reported flare = 7% https://t.co/2LKlnaMSyv https://t.co/0TYXiZGsSc

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
UK remission rates for early RA have been stablebut there are variations. DAS study of 13 752 RA, 35% in remission - but 28% (London) to 40% (East England). Delays in referral since COVID-19. Less remission w/ youth, female, Black, hi DAS28, delayed DMARDs. longer Sxs duration https://t.co/57QlnEqBci
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Retrospective study of 259 SSc pts underwent cardiac MRI looking for primary heart involvement (pHI) - detected in 37 14%). Predictors included troponin T (OR 14.1), CRP [OR 11.2), ILD [OR 6.3), and arrhythmias https://t.co/8KTINQ5loi https://t.co/60wQAPCUJv

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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