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Treating chronic inflammatory diseases with JAK inhibitors
Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are an important treatment option for people with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Hip Fractures
JAMA reviews the use of peripheral nerve block with hip fractures as an effective pain management strategy that can be performed by credentialed clinicians outside of the operating room.
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Autoimmune Disease Impact Report
Integrated Benefit Institute, a nonprofit independent research organization, has published its 2025 Autoimmune Disease Impact Report, which examines the health and productivity impacts of five prevalent and costly autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammat
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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.
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ERA, APPs, & Alpha GAL (3.21.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. Listen in for 2 new case questions - Ask Cush Anything.
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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 required major changes in treatment.
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Increasing Prevalence of Osteoporosis
Research published in Osteoporosis International studied NHANES data showed increasing trends in osteoporosis in the United States of America. The key findings showed statistically significant results.
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NP and PA Growth in the USA
Forbes has published a thoughtful perspective on the declining number of US physicians and the growth in the number of advanced practice providers or APPs (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in the US clinical workforce. Gastroenterologist Dr. Spencer Dorn writes that in the US, there are fewer physicians per capita (2.6 per 1,000) than most developed nations (average 3.6 per 1,000), with a physician shortfall of 125,000, that is projected to be ~200,000 by 2037.
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Adrenal Dysfunction after Steroids in PMR and GCA Patients
JAMA has published a study of PMR and GCA patients who stopped glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and noted a low (1.2%) risk of GC-induced adrenal insufficiency after planned cessation.
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ACR Frustrated with Congress Failures on Physician Fee Schedule and Research Programs
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) expressed deep dissatisfaction that the recent passage of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, failed to address payment cuts imposed in the CY25 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) at the beginning of
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PAFLAR Guidelines for Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The Pediatric African League against Rheumatism (PAFLAR) initiative has published its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA).
Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis
Analysis of a Greek Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) cohort shows that nearly one quarter of patients have axial involvement, and among them, ∼30% have isolated spinal axPsA and nr-axSpA, respectively.
Mizoribine Effective in Lupus Nephritis
A randomized clinical trial has shown that oral mizoribine, a common immunosuppressant in Japan, was noninferior to intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) as induction therapy in patients with active lupus nephritis.
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World Changers (3.14.2025)
Dr Jack Cush and his podcast friends are out to change the world. Here is his weekly review of the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.
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Channeling Bias and Cancer Risk with Biologic or Targeted Synthetic DMARDs
A retrospective US administrative claims cohort study of RA patients on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis), non-TNFi biologics, or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) found a statistically significantly higher risk of incident cancer in patients receiving rituximab, abatacept, or JAKis (compared with TNFis).
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Earlier ACL reconstruction and a lower risk of knee osteoarthritis
A preclinical study by HSS investigators found that earlier anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction led to lower immune cell activity, less inflammation and fewer joint changes associated with knee osteoarthritis compared to delayed surgery.
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Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index
Dr. John Stone has led the effort to develop the GTI - glucocorticoid toxicity index. In this review article he acknowledges the need and benefit of steroids, but details a novel means to identify and limit the untoward effects of glucorticoids (GC).
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2024 Rheumatology Year in Review
2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians. While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list (in no particular order) of 2024 developments and desires that may change rheumatologic practices.
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