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Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

BMC has published a full read literture review of pharmacological pain management in rheumatoid arthritis, pointing out that the best evidence for pain control comes from the use of DMARDs and treat-to-target strategies.

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Participation is Up! (1.31.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. We also have two call-in cases on "Ask Cush Anything".

Be sure to join in the fun at RNL 2025 next weekend - Gong Show Karaoke; what will you sing?

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Hepatitis B (Keep)

AGA Guideline: Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in At-Risk Individuals

Jack Cush, MD

The American Gastroenterology Association has published its revised clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in at-risk patients, particularly those with immune-mediated disease, receiving immunomodulatory therapy and steroids.

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orthotics,afo

Orthotics in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bita Imam, DO, PhD,  , Andres Quiceno, MD

Orthotics are cost-effective, externally applied devices designed to stabilize the joints and provide a conservative measure to alleviate joint pain and improve function. Options include therapeutic shoes, shoe inserts, hand splints/braces, wrist support and finger splints. This article reviews some of the indications on the use of orthotics in patients with RA.

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Weak Data (1.24.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, and features Dr. Charity Dean, the Keynote speaker at RheumNow Live 2025, and why she is an inspiration.

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DMARDs,biologics,RA

Getting to Remission - Without Biologics

Jack Cush, MD

Analysis of data from two early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) cohorts shows remission in RA is primarily seen in those who do not require biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs), while those needing bDMARDs are less apt to achieve remission.

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Functional Precision Medicine in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Novel research from the Medical University of Vienna demonstrates the plausible utility of functional precision medicine using immunophenotyping of blood cells with rheumatoid arthritis, to help guide treatment selection.

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A 3rd Actemra biosimilar was approved by the FDA - Celltrion announced approval of its 7th biosimilar, Avtozma (CT-P47, tocilizumab-anoh); both IV & SCm for Rx of RA, GCA, pJIA, Still's dz & Covid-19. Joins other IL-6 biosimilars Tofidence (Biogen 10/23) & Tyenne (Frensius 3/24)… https://t.co/UtG9YOXUX2 https://t.co/j3LzG7beys
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Screening for #RA-Machine learning algorithm applied to primary healthcare pts shown to correctly identify early RA based on 11 features (RF, CRP, ESR, SUA, HB, PLT, AMS, age, SJC TJC, deformity) w/ 96% specificity, 96% sensitivity, 96% AUC. https://t.co/Q25yvDwdJZ https://t.co/CTESAl6hSf

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Orthotics in Rheumatoid Arthritis RA is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting synovial joints, often in the hands and feet. Due to its progressive inflammatory nature, RA can lead to impairment of function, reduced quality of life, significant joint pain, disability, and… https://t.co/Tqf5YsSFX3 https://t.co/imnPyNXXkq
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Getting to Remission - Without Biologics Analysis of data from two early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) cohorts shows remission in RA is primarily seen in those who do not require biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs), while those needing bDMARDs are less apt to achieve remission.… https://t.co/knadKyxIpb https://t.co/OVSauZeetx
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Review of 39 imaging studies (12 MRI, 26 evaluated ultrasound) in pts w/ clinically suspect arthralgia showed variable results for imaging predicting progression from CSA to inflamm. arthritis (RA). US sensitivity/specificity = 37%/90%; MRI was 45%/84% https://t.co/uUl5i2t7ib https://t.co/ScnA7aN07N

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NIH study of MSK disease burden finds research on neck pain as most underfunded (0.83%) followed by LBP (13.9%), OA (35.1%) & RA (66.3%) - NIAMS is low compared to other institutes. In USA, MSK dz affect 1 in 3 people, approximately 127.4 million individuals.… https://t.co/MqU9TsY6GR https://t.co/rRvUYc2yee
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NHANES survey data on 2200 #RA pts shows dietary modification can yield reduced all-cause mortality risk. Diets w/ high Healthy Eating Index & low Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) reduced mortality (HR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.53–0.92; adjusted P = 0.01) https://t.co/T77YQMvRQ2 https://t.co/WaCapITHGK

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Getting to Remission - Without Biologics Analysis of data from two early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) cohorts shows remission in RA is primarily seen in those who do not require biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs), while those needing bDMARDs are less apt to achieve remission.… https://t.co/K1gUdEhk1n https://t.co/PHQafKPHpB
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
French cross-sectional study of pts on stable sc MTX x several yrs. Examined MTX polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) & disease activity in 34 RA pts (25 remission). + correlation between RA remission & high MTX-PG3 levels in pts w/ BMI <25. BMI may limit utility of PG3 levels… https://t.co/uped4oMkut https://t.co/4fmnDVHYYb
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Worldwide, it is estimated that arthralgia treatments cost USD 4.7 Billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 9.0 Billion by 2035. https://t.co/DYnbhpLAhr https://t.co/sKR8sssKNx

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
French cross-sectional study of pts on stable sc MTX x several yrs. Examined MTX polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) & disease activity in 34 RA pts (25 remission). + correlation between RA remission & high MTX-PG3 levels in pts w/ BMI <25. BMI may limit utility of PG3 levels… https://t.co/scFzVy7hhA https://t.co/sUQUHFbhaG
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RA higher risk of Celiac Dz -- Rheumatic Dz administrative data review (2004–2013)compared 70,061 #RA w/ 276,895 controls, median F/U 9 yrs. (IQR 9–9). Celiac Prevalence higher in RA (171/70,061 = 0.24% vs 398/276895 = 0.14%; p < 0.001), more so in females w/ RA… https://t.co/SayZYvkZpV https://t.co/fcuyJ5sFk0
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Head-to-Head Clinical Trials https://t.co/kLwVKRcnna https://t.co/XDhk9VAIin

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