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Distinguishing Septic and Gouty Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

A single center, retrospective review of patients undergoing knee joint fluid aspirations for presumed crystalline arthritis (CA) showed that synovial WBC may provide a useful diagnostic marker for SA with an optimal threshold of 50,000 cells/mm3.

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Predictors of Developing RA

Jack Cush, MD

A prospective cohort study of seropositive arthralgia patients demonstrated that baseline characteristics and labs can be used to predict which arthralgia patients are at highest risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Is High Dose Aspirin Needed in Kawasaki Disease?

Jack Cush, MD

Does aspirin add any advantage to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) alone in children with Kawasaki disease (KD)?

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EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com

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Should Lupus Nephritis Receive PJP Prophylaxis?

Jack Cush, MD

A current review article suggests that the need for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis will need to be individualized based on therapies and risk factors. 

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Pregnancy-Related Deaths in the US

Jack Cush, MD

A CDC cross-sectional national study showed an increase in pregnancy-related deaths in the US from 2018 to 2022, with highest rates among American Indian, Alaska Native women, and non-Hispanic Black women. 

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RA Prevention through Deep Immunophenotyping

Jack Cush, MD

Researchers at the University of Colorado have identified pathogenic immune phenotypes in at-risk populations for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Uveitis Risk with Slow Adalimumab Weaning

MedPage Today

Patients with pediatric non-infectious uveitis (NIU) who achieved remission on adalimumab (Humira) had lower recurrence rates when the drug was withdrawn more gradually, a retrospective cohort analysis indicated.

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Systematic review of >90 studies on Pregnancy and RA risk indicates that parity, gravidity, infertility, pregnancy loss do not adversely affect RA development. But low birthweight was assoc w/ RA Dx/severity, and pre-eclampsia incr risk of subsequent RA Dx. https://t.co/jVa4tmSqvj
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43 days to the Lupus Congress 2025 in Toronto 🦋...see you soon! Abstract Sessions, Poster Tour Presentations, Plenary Sessions, Scientific Sessions, Debate Sessions, Patient Sessions, Fishbowl Discussion, and GALA DINNER on May 23!!! @LupusCongress https://t.co/MaWjyofnIz

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Zahi Touma, MD, PhD ZahiTouma ( View Tweet)

EPIC EHR data assessed pre- & post-COVID. Pt messaging increased w/ pandemic & remained elevated, w/ no change in pt phone calls. MD EHR time/wk increased for all MDs, post COVID-19: (PCP +6.5%), subspecialists (+9.9%), surgeons (+5.2%). https://t.co/nJZw0Ftjqi https://t.co/ty942TGblu

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systemic sclerosis pts in the PRESS & STRIKE cohorts - High type I interferon (IFN) scores in diffuse SSc pts correlated w/ high disease activity & worse 12-month prognosis and overall survival. https://t.co/pdPjoVfQNH https://t.co/RB7li2ZIxX

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
185 children with SLE (cSLE) were analyze for long-term outcomes. 38 (20.54%) had serositis. Pts w/ serositis were younger, had more Dz activity, acomorbidities, & mortality. Having both serositis and ESRD increased risk of poor 20 Yr survival. https://t.co/fw8wcuS48E https://t.co/LgS3Sxy7gd

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EPIC EHR data assessed pre- & post-COVID. Pt messaging increased w/ pandemic & remained elevated, w/ no change in pt phone calls. MD EHR time/wk increased for all MDs, post COVID-19: (PCP +6.5%), subspecialists (+9.9%), surgeons (+5.2%). https://t.co/j8zwPkdmp9 https://t.co/SyYpZwnMfN

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mindfulness and CBT improve chronic low back pain Behavioral interventions were associated with reduced pain and daily opioid use and improved function and quality of life for up to 12 months among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain, according to a new randomized https://t.co/e4jLNwNBy3
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
185 children with SLE (cSLE) were analyze for long-term outcomes. 38 (20.54%) had serositis. Pts w/ serositis were younger, had more Dz activity, acomorbidities, & mortality. Having both serositis and ESRD increased risk of poor 20 Yr survival. https://t.co/tnYgg6MNXp https://t.co/zJor1oTFfD

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAMA Staphylococcus aureus Review - s. aureus bacteremia leads to septic arthritis (7%), vertebral osteomyelitis (≈4%) - bacteremia (≥48 hs) has 39% 90-day mortality risk https://t.co/atao3mF32L https://t.co/oMSJVNKvJN

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Matched cohort study of 83,811 #RA pts showed RA had a 12% increased risk of avoidable hospitalizations (CHF, pulmonary edema; (IRR 1.12). Predictors of ACSC hosp. were age, Steroids, ambulatory comorbid Dxs. ambulatory care access & ^ primary care may reduce this risk. https://t.co/Tx7LO59RbP
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
12-month community trial 770 adults w/ opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP). Found that opioid dosage decreased with both mindfulness-based therapy & cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) at 6 & 12 mos.(noninferior) - Why dont we use these? https://t.co/9VhqJEHlhc https://t.co/GWnL66nbvY

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NORD-STAR RCT: Rx -naïve pts w/ early #RA found triple (MSH) Rx w/ prn IA steroid injx was superior to MTX + Pred (w/ taper) - w/ better clinical outcomes, fewer withdrawals, fewer AEs, & less steroid use BUT slightly worse Xray outcomes https://t.co/YN6Om2xdIP https://t.co/a7G8WFZSK7

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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