JAMA has published a review of 15 RCTs (1711 patients) analyzing the role of spinal manipulation therapy in patients with acute low back pain. The authors found modest improvements in pain and function at up to 6 weeks, with temporary minor musculoskeletal harms.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and Advances in Targeted Therapies meeting in Mandelieu, France:

Tweeting this week from Advances in Targeted Therapies #ATT2017 in Mandelieu, France.

Two current articles in the Journal of Rheumatology address issues surrounding mortality risk among those with new and established gout.

On Friday March 24, the nonprofit Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) presented its report on the cost and value of targeted immune modulators (TIMs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a meeting in Boston that included clinical experts, manufacturers, payers, and patients.

Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal, MBBS, MD, President of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has issued a press release condeming the insufficiencies of the newly proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA).

The ACGME has revised its traing guidelines such that, starting July 1st, new interns are allowed to work shifts lasting as long as 24 hours, and as much as 28 hours according to a recent New York Times article.  

Reuters has reported that European drugmakers have taken the tact of warning EU physician contemplating the switch from existing (originator) biologic therapy to newer, cut-rate biosimilar.  Biosimilar use is widespread outside the USA.

In the United States, doctor-diagnosed arthritis is a common and widespread chronic condition (1,2). Arthritis is a leading cause of disability (3) and is projected to affect 78.4 million adults by 2040.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that physicians avoid prescribing drugs, especially narcotics, for patients with acute or subacute low back pain.

New research confirms that patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) face significant healthcare and socioeconomic hurdles.

Poorer and less-educated older Americans are more likely to suffer from chronic pain than those with greater wealth and more education, but the disparity between the two groups is much greater than previously thought, according to new research.

A study published in The BMJ shows that financial ties between researchers and companies that make the drugs they are studying are independently associated with positive trial results; thereby questioning the bias in these objective trials.

If Congress changes or repeals the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which adults are at risk of losing health insurance?

A randomized trial of 537 knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients in the Duke Healthcare system has shown that patient- and provider interventions were no better than the usual standard of care.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from this past week on RheumNow.com:

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the first week of 2017 on RheumNow.com.

Happy New Year!

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case over whether companies that make biosimilar drugs must wait six months after federal approval before they bring them to the market.

Dr. Cush highlights reports from this week on RheumNow.com.

The 21st Century Cures Act has become one of the most-lobbied health care bills in recent history, with nearly a half billion dollars being spent on both sides - those for and against the bill.