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Chronic pain may dramatically raise your blood pressure

Science Daily

Widespread chronic pain may stealthily drive up blood pressure, partly through its ties to depression and inflammation.

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Managing Perioperative DMARDs with Arthroplasty

Jack Cush, MD

Postoperative complications with arthroplasty may be related to chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive therapy. Yet a recent retrospective study total ankle arthroplasty in end-stage RA patients shows that early postoperative wound complications are unaffected by the continued use of their preoperative medications including DMARDs.

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Vitamin D and Lupus Outcomes (11.21.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

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

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A New Disease Activity Score for Antiphospholipid Syndrome?

EurekAlert!

APS is a systemic autoimmune disorder. It is characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and a broad spectrum of clinical features, causing obstetric as well as thrombotic, microvascular and non-thrombotic (TMN) symptoms.

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Seeking Musculoskeletal Care

Jack Cush, MD

A report entitled The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States (BMUS) report was published by the US Bone and Joint Decade (USBJD) with input from rheumatology, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation regarding musculoskeletal care.

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Rheumatology Supply and Demand (2009 - 2024)

Jack Cush, MD

A retrospective review of US rheumatology manpower and training between 2009 and 2024 shows that US rheumatology training has become competitive with an increasing surplus of applicants compared to available training positions, which have also increased over time.

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ACR Applauds Bipartisan Support for Prior Authorization Reform Bill

ACR

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today commended the more than 295 bipartisan, bicameral cosponsors of The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which, if enacted, would reform the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans.

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The Interview (11.7.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

I've done thousands of interviews; mostly for medical school admissions or medical and research employment.  They’re all the same. I'm looking for the “right one” and the interviewee is somewhere between apprehension, uncertainty and hope.  From all this experience I’ve developed my own perspective on interviews and interviewing that has been amended in the digital/virtual era.

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Beyond the Breakthrough: Equity and Access in CAR-T Cell Therapy for RA

Bella Mehta, MBBS, MS

At ACR Convergence 2025, abstract 1039 entitled, “Global Cost-Effectiveness and Equity in CAR-T Cell Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis” adds a critical dimension to the growing enthusiasm around cellular therapies in autoimmune disease.

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Betw 1990 to 2021 the global psoriasis burden had a slight increase w/ little difference betw men & women, roughly 57-61 100 000 (10% increase). Risk highest in N.America & W.Europe. PSO risk highest with higher incomes. https://t.co/raruHn5Txx https://t.co/bp1rWyWS7y

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
There is a growing burden of #OA among middle-aged adults, rising by 123.7%, from 11.8 million in 1990 to 26.4 million in 2021. 56.5% of incident cases & 38% of prevalent cases occur in middle-aged group (70% higher than the elderly (>60 years) population). Highest in hi-income. https://t.co/JVpZ96qe0E
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Beyond the Breakthrough: Equity and Access in CAR-T Cell Therapy for RA At #ACR25, abstract 1039, "Global Cost-Effectiveness and Equity in CAR-T Cell Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis," highlights the critical economic and ethical dimensions of CAR-T cell therapy in autoimmune https://t.co/Rci0dL7THj
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA is going to "fast-track" biosimilars to curtail the costs of expensive biologics https://t.co/h5NBsUaM97

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

@Janetbirdope’s #ACR25 pearls remind us: Order ANA only when clinical suspicion exists Never repeat a positive ANA ENA only if ANA+ ❌ Ignore dsDNA if ANA– (except anti-Ro52) Stop serial dsDNA/C3/C4 if stable Smart lab use saves patients anxiety and systems money. #SLE https://t.co/Mu3EefcIx0

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Romatolog Nurullah_Akkoc ( View Tweet)
CDAI appropriately guided therapy escalation in RA, but not for everyone. Treatment adjustments were less likely in pts with public or no insurance. Even data-driven care can fall short when access barriers persist. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstract#2616

Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)

Reaadmissions in sle pregnancies from 66k patients Insurance and economics seem to be very important in predictions using machine learning. Abst#2629 #ACR25 @RheumNow https://t.co/x2oo9TOxoh

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Bella Mehta bella_mehta ( View Tweet)
Starting biologic early could save more than joints. In 329 RA pts, first-line anti-TNF reduced testing and hospitalization costs vs csDMARDs across Europe. Earlier targeted therapy pay off in outcomes and economics. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstract#2271 https://t.co/zZ32CpT36d

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Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)
Bremer et al. Earlier initiation of biosimilar adalimumab (vs csDMARDs) may result in cost-savings. Reduced cost of tests, consultations, and hospitalisations. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstr#2271 https://t.co/lHaSiX3WLd

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Richard Conway RichardPAConway ( View Tweet)
Simko et al. 6-monthly vs 3-monthly MTX lab monitoring. 3821 patients. Appears to be no difference. Potential for significant cost-savings and reduced burden to patients. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstr#1370 #ACRbest https://t.co/G3tNQq8qXT

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Richard Conway RichardPAConway ( View Tweet)
Rheum guidelines balance data & context. Beyond evidence, factors like cost, equity & feasibility shape recs. GRADE-ADOLOPMENT = global tool to adopt, adapt, or design local guidance for more rapid integration and with less $$$ @RheumNow #ACR25 #GlobalRheumSummitt https://t.co/Sfsqxsqpt4

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Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)
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