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EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com
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RA Prevention through Deep Immunophenotyping
Researchers at the University of Colorado have identified pathogenic immune phenotypes in at-risk populations for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
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ACP: Best Practice Advice on Cannabis or Cannabinoids Use for Chronic Noncancer Pain
The American College of Physicians published a best practice advisory on cannabis or cannabinoids in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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An Epidural Letdown (4.4.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Joint Implant Metals May Be Leaking
MedPage Today
Patients with metal-containing joint replacements had significantly higher concentrations of cobalt in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relative to patients without arthroplasties, researchers reported.
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AutoAbs & protein signatures evolve as pts go from Preclinical to established RA. Pts vs controls distinguished w/in 5 yrs of Dx best by iCCP3, RFIgA, RFIgM; and 104 proteins differentially expressed & gene analyses showed 21 pathways enriched ≤5 years of Dx. https://t.co/EWwpvrduJz
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2nd Opinions in Rheumatology
https://t.co/R4CjJHEaL4 https://t.co/0quDwdANyU
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RA Prevention through Deep Immunophenotyping
Researchers at the University of Colorado have identified pathogenic immune phenotypes in at-risk populations for RA. They have found the expansion of specific T cell subtypes, in the at-risk group, and postulate this could lead to https://t.co/AEo0GOr7Kn
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KORAIL (Korean RA-ILD) prospective cohort study of CT and biomarkers showed 35% ILD progressed over 3 yrs. Higher baseline KL-6 (HR 1.37) & hSP-D (1.51) levels assoc w/ progression. Increasing KL-6 at 1 yr showed the greatest progression (∆KL-6: HR 2.0) https://t.co/efowyCp1qu https://t.co/JVd7sRKzVF
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Does DMARD Rx affect neurocognitive function in older pts? bDMARDs targeting TNF-α & IL-6 may mitigate neuroinflammation & preserve cognitive function. But, cognitive impact of csDMARDs (MTX) is complex, w/ conflicting reports on its role in vascular dementia. https://t.co/u3kSKHRvpI
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Matched cohort study of 83,811 #RA pts showed RA had a 12% increased risk of avoidable hospitalizations (CHF, pulmonary edema; (IRR 1.12). Predictors of ACSC hosp. were age, Steroids, ambulatory comorbid Dxs. ambulatory care access & ^ primary care may reduce this risk. https://t.co/Tx7LO59RbP
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NORD-STAR RCT: Rx -naïve pts w/ early #RA found triple (MSH) Rx w/ prn IA steroid injx was superior to MTX + Pred (w/ taper) - w/ better clinical outcomes, fewer withdrawals, fewer AEs, & less steroid use BUT slightly worse Xray outcomes https://t.co/YN6Om2xdIP https://t.co/a7G8WFZSK7
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JAK-pot Collaboration of 15 registries looked at MACE risk in RA pts and found NO incr CV risk during 1st 2 yrs of JAKi (vs TNFi) use. 51233 pts; 828 incident MACE; in 73008 Rx courses (16K JAKi, 35K TNFi, & 21K OMA bDMARDs). JAK adj IRR: 0.89;0.63 to 1.25 (vs TNFi); bDMARD-OMA https://t.co/MAZrGfCNrU
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French REGATE registry study examined RA pts (n 1496) & Safety of tocilizumab (exposure 3991 PYs). 63 (4.2%) developed 75 cancers (35 solid, 11 Heme, 3 melanomas, 26 NMSC). CA incidence rate (excluding NMSC) was 7.5 /1000 PY. Independ Risk factors for solid CA = age (HR=1.05), https://t.co/3q8HIPa6qf
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Matched cohort study of 83,811 #RA pts showed RA had a 12% increased risk of avoidable hospitalizations (CHF, pulmonary edema; (IRR 1.12). Predictors of ACSC hosp. were age, Steroids, ambulatory comorbid Dxs. ambulatory care access & ^ primary care may reduce this risk. https://t.co/AxQVoXoxxx
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A study in Alberta, Canada, examining the travel burdens for rheumatoid arthritis patients, found a median travel time of 13 minutes to reach general practitioners and 34 minutes to see rheumatologists. The research highlighted significant disparities between rural and urban https://t.co/2kYDrk16O8
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Obstacles to the current use of DMARDs from patients, discussed during regular appointments, were mainly associated with adverse effects and worries about effectiveness and long-term usage. Ongoing attention to these patients' concerns is crucial for improving treatment https://t.co/hWYGiPIsBb
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Barriers to current DMARD use from pts, discussed during routine visits were primarily related to side effects and concerns about the efficacy and long-term use. Continuous attention to these patients’ concerns are key to better treatment adherence https://t.co/J0kPR2CQyH https://t.co/D84t4dPdLO
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Targeting Obesity in Rheumatic Disease Patients
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.
https://t.co/OYtsbfJQ2e https://t.co/xEZI3mkY0q
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Disease activity during Pregnancy in Rheumatoid arthritis and Spondyloarthritis
A prospective French study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients showed that most maintained stable disease activity during pregnancy, but over one-third flared and https://t.co/MaWx6AZ0JF
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