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SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Equivalent Healthcare Outcomes by Nurses and Physicians
With increasing demand for health services in an aging population, serving complex patients with comorbidities, and increasing healthcare costs, the question of whether nurses can substitute for physicians was addressed by a recent Cochrane review.
3 Months of Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
A report in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggested that 3 months of romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab is as effective at increasing hip bone mineral density (BMD) as the standard 12-month course.
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The prevalence of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Australia is 26,788 (16,294 certain, 10,494 uncertain cases). Betw 2010-2022 incidence was 77-127/100,000 (certain cases). About half had received SLE care in an outpatient setting. Australia is 1/13 the population of USA https://t.co/n1sbFNPRbn
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“Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life”
- Henri Frederic Amiel
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Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease
Rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung https://t.co/Z8ZBGmqT93
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3 Months of Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
A report in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggested that 3 months of romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab is as effective at increasing hip bone mineral density (BMD) as the standard 12-month course. https://t.co/HPM7DdRFBM
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Nice simple overview of SCLERITIS. https://t.co/BOgZK8y4Qq https://t.co/P0dLtA3nKy
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GLP-1s are known to improved knee OA. Using a mouse OA model w/ obesity, semaglutide yielded less pain, osteophytes & had strong chondroprotective effects, fia a wt loss-independent way. Changing from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation resulted in cartilage restoration. https://t.co/8zs34ys9o9
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American College of Chest Physicians has announced that advanced practice providers (APPs) can earn the CHEST Critical Care Advanced Practice Provider (CCAPP) designation; CCAPP Certification exam designed to validate clinical competence & Enhanced credibility/recognition https://t.co/Ip6YMjwOBc
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FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is seeking to make more drugs available without a prescription; and has stated “everything should be over-the-counter” unless the drug is addictive, unsafe, or requires monitoring. https://t.co/CGurlOWO8m https://t.co/bFwkpZ3kbn
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease
Rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung https://t.co/lnacSUlrI8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
3 Months of Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
A report in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggested that 3 months of romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab is as effective at increasing hip bone mineral density (BMD) as the standard 12-month course. https://t.co/6HfGFZqavF
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
July 2024 survey of 143 women (18-45 yrs) with rheumatic disease shows only 63% used effective contraception. In those previously pregnant, 33% experienced an unplanned pregnancy, highlighting contraceptive failure. https://t.co/tR6976vmJp https://t.co/1XRkQfWL5r
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Nice simple overview of SCLERITIS. https://t.co/ndnfi6nZuA https://t.co/bzkOgupk7C
Links:
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Real-world study of 1202 #PsA pts shows that secukinumab retention rates were lower w/ smoking (79%/73%/72% in never/former/current smokers) but not w/ obesity (72%/77%/77% in normal/overweight/obese), Adh HR signif. higher w/ former (1.32) & current smokers (1.27) https://t.co/1REWmod73W
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Review of Calcinosis Cutis - Surgical intervent. most effective (excision, curettage, laser ablation, etc). Medical measures inconsistently, partially effective, best if used early & localized (CCB, TCN, probenecid, immunomodulation, biologics, colchicine, NA thiosulfate, & JAKi https://t.co/rv0hQBv6nX
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Diagnosing and Managing GCA and Takayasu’s Arteritis
Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) are both large-vessel vasculitides, but each brings its own diagnostic and management challenges. Many of the difficulties overlap because they are rare, https://t.co/ePJqcMjcBA
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Full read review & update on Rhabdomyolysis. 26K cases/Yr in USA. Muscle damage leading to weakness, myalgias, swelling, myoglobinuria, electrolyte probs, AKI. Causes: 1) exogenous toxins (46%); 2) trauma; 3) myopathies/metabolic muscle dz (10%), infxn. AKI in 46%, & death in https://t.co/E2LcLeMls0
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Referrals - Orthopedics or Rheumatology?
A question, often asked with urgency, posed by those who genuinely don’t know who to see for a musculoskeletal (MSK) complaint. Inquiring patients, family, or other physicians may be one forum for such a request. Another occurs in the https://t.co/aIoSaSvdIk
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