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1st Line Biologics vs csDMARDs in Adult Still's Disease
A German multicentre, retrospective study assessed the first-line efficacy of biologics and conventional synthetic DMARD therapy in patients with adult-onset Still's disease and found biologic agents were significantly better with sustained, event-free remissions and fewer complications.
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Consensus Against Interventional Injections for Chronic Spinal Pain
BMJ has published a clinical practice guideline resulting from the work of an international, multidisciplinary panel addressing chronic spine pain (≥3 months duration) not associated with cancer or inflammatory arthropathy.
Cancer Survival with TNF Inhibitors (3.28.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Cardiac-MSK Patients at Highest Risk for Falls and Death
EurekAlert!
A new study by researchers at Peking University and the Chinese PLA General Hospital has found that multimorbidity—living with multiple chronic diseases—is closely associated with worsening fall conditions and mortality among middle-aged and older adults in China.
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Treating chronic inflammatory diseases with JAK inhibitors
Science Daily
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.
Obstacles to the current use of DMARDs from patients, discussed during regular appointments, were mainly associated with adverse effects and worries about effectiveness and long-term usage. Ongoing attention to these patients' concerns is crucial for improving treatment https://t.co/hWYGiPIsBb
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Barriers to current DMARD use from pts, discussed during routine visits were primarily related to side effects and concerns about the efficacy and long-term use. Continuous attention to these patients’ concerns are key to better treatment adherence https://t.co/J0kPR2CQyH https://t.co/D84t4dPdLO
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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.
https://t.co/zQSa8ex9na https://t.co/gkKxHFPuNe
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Phase 3 RCT shows that SC Abatacept was not effective in treating Active Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy: 148 (double-blind) & 133 (OL) pts Rx for 24wks with similar improvement 56% ABA vs 42.5% PBO (P = 0.083); NS at 52 wks & w/ dermatomyositis. https://t.co/InlHJSmiKn https://t.co/mtFQWp3vlb
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Fresenius Receives FDA Approval for their Denosumab Biosimilars Conexxence (denosumab-bnht) and Bomyntra (denosumab-bnht) based on reference products: Prolia (denosumab) and Xgeva (denosumab) respectively. US launch mid-2025 https://t.co/0i5ZMJSxnp https://t.co/zeQ7QhmA0n
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheums! Have a rheumatology question or case for Dr.Cush? Record it here and we may feature it on an upcoming podcast. Tell us your name and where you practice rheumatology.
https://t.co/VkPL7thzo8 https://t.co/h85iF6tIVk
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#Thrombocytopenia is common in #antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and is likely associated with more severe disease. Although the pathophysiology underlying thrombocytopenia in APS has yet to be definitively revealed, mechanisms that play a role (at least in subsets of patients) https://t.co/pUXmb1irbw
Alberto Giraldo alb_giraldo ( View Tweet)
Post hoc analysis of 5 ph III Belimumab RCTs (BLISS, etc, N=3086) on skin outcomes BILAG & SLEDAI-2K), BEL was superior to PBO (mcBILAG OR: 1.29; mcSLEDAI-2K OR: 1.37). Also if SLEDAI ≥10 & dsDNA+ pts. BEL prevented skin flares (HR 0.70) https://t.co/p1MVVf97Go https://t.co/qwWUyegpyi
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Veterans Admin (VA) EHR study of #RA-associated ILD (n 1047), matched 237 RA-ILD pts who Rx w/ TNFi vs 237 Rx w/ non-TNF biologics (mean age 68y; 92% male). Death & Resp hospitalisation were similar (adj HR 1·21, 1·27), as was mortality (1·15), Resp mortality (1·38) https://t.co/03LV5B4FSV
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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.
https://t.co/ZTaIQxs0ex https://t.co/LA5qji8Zj5
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systematic literature review of sleep Rx in Fibromyalgia - 47 RCTs, 11094 pts, found cognitive behavioral Tx (CBT) significantly benefitted insomnia, but not pain. Pregabalin & sodium oxybate had small effect, but Amitriptyline, milnacipran, & duloxetine showed no benefit for https://t.co/XG8cFlpQqq
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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 https://t.co/foTaoYrfDn
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The FDA has approved guselkumab(Tremfya) for both subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) induction therapy treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD). It is the only IL-23 inhbitor available for SC and IV use in CD https://t.co/ekXRVOwNnS https://t.co/6zveRR5WjD
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systematic review of colchicine and pregnancy in #FMF pts included 25 studies. Miscarriage was not increased w/ colchicine in FMF (RR 0.87). Birth defects were similar to unexposed pts (range 0.6% to 4.0%). Colchicine showed no effects (men/women) on fertility. 1 study reported… https://t.co/axiH9jhEJr https://t.co/oBpew71fZw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systematic literature review of sleep Rx in Fibromyalgia - 47 RCTs, 11094 pts, found cognitive behavioral Tx (CBT) significantly benefitted insomnia, but not pain. Pregabalin & sodium oxybate had small effect, but Amitriptyline, milnacipran, & duloxetine showed no benefit for… https://t.co/ReommvC5qO https://t.co/UnSM3HnWLV
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
