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Drug Naming Games (2.7.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, regulatory and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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Granzyme - a major driver of inflammatory & autoimmune diseases
EurekAlert!
Our immune system is armed with an array of defenses designed to detect and eliminate harmful threats. One of its most powerful defense mechanisms is the complement system—a group of proteins that patrols our body, ever vigilant for signs of infection or injury.
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Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Becoming Milder?
A 24 year, prospective study analyzing very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in three consecutive eras suggests that RA has evolved since 2005, demonstrating less seropositivity, inflammation, and erosions but is characterized by more comorbidity, smoking and corticosteroid use.
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Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
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)
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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How can AI be useful for RA pts and rheumatologists?
-AI models have the potential for improving diagnosis, management and outcomes in RA pts.
-Can also improve efficiency and clinic workflow.
-Not so perfect as it sounds (hallucinations, limited accuracy)
#RNL2025 @RheumNow https://t.co/44LUHQ1KPf
Adela Castro AdelaCastro222 ( View Tweet)
AI models require good Positive Predictive Value (PPV)
But: PPV decreases as prevalence decreases
- In choosing a successful biologic:
Harder to predict more challenging patients (multiple failures, co-morbidities, etc) - ACR50 non-response is higher
J Curtis
@RheumNow #RNL2025 https://t.co/SdJ0FHVuSC
Eric Dein ericdeinmd ( View Tweet)
#AI can help with Value Based Care…a year in remission for RA will save a lot of money. @RADoctor @rheumnow #RNL2025 https://t.co/rUpeMrDHZf
TheDaoIndex KDAO2011 ( View Tweet)
Late onset RA (LORA) aka RA diagnosed at an older age — pts have higher inflammatory markers, presents like PMR; they also have polypharmacy, comorbidities, frailty, etc that can complicate management
@UnaMakris #RNL2025 @RheumNow #GeriRheum https://t.co/zqEcyg2ejw
TheDaoIndex KDAO2011 ( View Tweet)
@UnaMakris #RNL25 @RheumNow
Older patients w RA
1/3 of pts onset >60-65
- More acute onset, more systemic, more PMR-like, larger jts
- Higher IL-6, lower TNF-a, less RF, higher ESR
-Co-morbidities, polypharmacy, cognition, depression
Age does not equal frailty, but does correlate https://t.co/5qb60WyKkP
Eric Dein ericdeinmd ( View Tweet)
Are your patients aging with RA, or are they diagnosed with Late Onset RA (LORA)?
-LORA pts tend to present acutely
-High inflammatory markers~PMR Like
-Seronegative/Decreased titers of RF/CCP
@UnaMakris
#RNL2025 @RheumNow https://t.co/aOCwb3lHef
Adela Castro AdelaCastro222 ( View Tweet)
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Becoming Milder?
A 24 year, prospective study analyzing very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in three consecutive eras suggests that RA has evolved since 2005, demonstrating less seropositivity, inflammation, and erosions but is characterized by more… https://t.co/y50uCU79i9 https://t.co/crKytLY4WN
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
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.… https://t.co/1rcTxpQxxT https://t.co/s20bg5FJqQ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
QD Clinic - New Palmoplantar Psoriasis and PsA
New Onset Palmoplantar PsO and PsA - what are the options?
Features Dr. Jack Cush.
QD Clinics - lessons from the clinic, sponsored by RNL2025 in Dallas, TX; Feb 8 & 9, 2025
Register at https://t.co/2dcFVgu8z6… https://t.co/HZZuDvga58 https://t.co/wWKhnIECwB
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 702 pts who transitioned from PsO to PsA (median 9yrs) - no baseline differences in PsA pts who transitioned late (>9yrs); but on follow-up, the late group had lower Dz activity, less csDMARD use, but no difference in radiographic progression https://t.co/xUPXA79weS https://t.co/eUeemqovv8
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Participation is Up! (1.31.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow. We also have two call-in cases on "Ask Cush Anything".
https://t.co/kxMkDW5X8c https://t.co/AjIuNzk7co
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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
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)
