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Rheumatology Supply and Demand (2009 - 2024)
A retrospective review of US rheumatology manpower and training between 2009 and 2024 shows that US rheumatology training has become competitive with an increasing surplus of applicants compared to available training positions, which have also increased over time.
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Treating During Pregnancy (11.14.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal articles, news and guidelines from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Can EMR Treatment Suggestions Improve Decision Making?
EurekAlert!
In a new study involving 402 U.S.-based primary care physicians, researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Sydney identified a “sweet spot” in clinical decision-making. By presenting just the right number of treatment alternatives in the electronic health record (EHR) system, physicians were more likely to choose a high-quality alternative rather than defaulting to the status quo.
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More on Methotrexate and ILD Risk
To assess the progression of the interstitial lung disease related to Methotrexate (MTX) exposure, and to evaluate the lung involvement in RA non-ILD patients with MTX exposure, a systematic review was performed to assess whether RA patients receiving methotrexate (MTX) are at greater risk f
Retrospective review of 113 AOSD pts, median age 45yrs, ferritin 4626 (IQR 1169–14,239). Advanced Rx (IVIG, IL-1, IL-6) required in 15 (13.3%), NOT predicted by ferritin levels, either measured continuously or by quartiles. Ferritin is not a reliable biomarker in AOSD. https://t.co/pHEPeIf9u2
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PROSPERO meta-analysis shows an effect of diet on #RA risk. 8 independent studies (n=270,121) showed a reduced risk of incident RA with Anti-inflammatory (OR 0.56; 0.31–0.99), Mediterranean (OR 0.88; 0.78–0.99), and HEI (OR 0.60; 0.25–1.47), but not DASH diets https://t.co/Qr9lXWRAED
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Can EMR Treatment Suggestions Improve Decision Making?
In a new study, researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Sydney identified a “sweet spot” in clinical decision-making. By presenting just the right number of treatment alternatives in the EHR system, https://t.co/X0eHDIk3Uw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
In 2024, 77 pts referred to Rheum for possible PMR were ultimately Dx w/ B19 viral infx. 96% had arthralgia & 7% had PMR-like features (5/5 w/ BL shoulder/neck. prolonged AM stiff, fever & Hi CRP/ESR - none had hip pain. 4/5 were male, w/ mean age of 55 yrs. None were RF/CCP+ https://t.co/SsLVEyL8X8
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"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease." – Elizabeth Blackwell
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20-40% of Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is associated with other autoimmune diseases - lead by autoimmune thyroiditis, type 1 DM, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, & celiac (but less so for RA, PBC, SLE, Sjögren syndrome, vitiligo). AIH Dx Abs include ANA, ASMA, LKM1. https://t.co/FphWZwwohx
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Sjogren’s disease: two drugs with positive trials Sjogren’s disease: two drugs with positive trials
After several failures of therapies in Phase 3 trials of Sjogren’s disease (SjD) over many years, all hope is not lost! At #ACR25, not one but two drugs presented their efficacy https://t.co/tGwUrLMZEI
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Beyond malignancy, look out for LICATS with CAR-T
CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy took the centre stage in 2022 where data pertaining to a successful case series of 5 patients with refractory SLE were published by Prof Schett’s group. Since then, this area https://t.co/JbTB033gti
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Taking a closer look: B-Cell depletion beyond the blood
At #ACR25, we have seen an exciting wave of cellular and immune therapies reshaping the landscape of autoimmune disease treatment. Following the landmark case series by the Erlangen group, multiple cellular therapies have https://t.co/GIrPwlGKE2
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IL-1 Inhibition in CPPD
Controlled clinical trials in patients with calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD) are scant. Now a metanalysis provides evidence that anakinra, an interleukin-1 inhibitor, is a promising alternative for patients with acute CPPD flares. https://t.co/7RkE2i6sYY
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CAR-T Therapy: Where is it Heading?
Dr. Peter Nash summarizes several abstracts looking at CAR-T therapy from #ACR25.
https://t.co/bC8p1LnZMW https://t.co/KKn3jjsBW0
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Deep Learning Model Accurately Detects Ankylosing Spondylitis on MRI
AI continues to move from research labs into rheumatology clinics, promising to reshape how inflammatory diseases are diagnosed and monitored. AS, in particular, poses a diagnostic challenge—its early imaging https://t.co/TH2YIiPPEq
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Sjögren's disease RCTs: Has the Long Drought Ended?
At #ACR25, two late breaking abstracts have triggered hope for patients suffering from Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/nNNx5sXzCz https://t.co/r9VBgyYgOC
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Learning just got smarter.
Every week, RheumIQ challenges you with a quick quiz on current rheumatology updates.
💡 Educational
🎯 Evidence-based
🧠 Addictive (in a good way)
Try it now and level up your clinical knowledge: https://t.co/oa2wxIRGZv https://t.co/wyZYdabM2G
Links:
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Biologic use in 5008 IBD pts finds higher serious infxn (SIE) rates (vs, RA or PsO). In UC the SIE rate was 5.5/100PY w/ vedolizumab & 7/100PY w/ other biologics. In Crohns the SIE rate was 7.9/100PY w/ vedolizumab vs 6.5/100PY w/ other biologics (adj HR 1.15; 0.95–1.40) (P .16) https://t.co/R7YC220NnO
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New Approaches to Therapy in PsA
Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh offers an overview of new approaches to therapy in psoriatic arthritis, at #ACR25.
https://t.co/9vHgQ6S2JD https://t.co/5mvX1rOrIP
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
