All News

hip, OA, AVN

Osteonecrosis in Lupus

d Jack Cush, MD

A single center analysis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients found symptomatic osteonecrosis (ON) in nearly 10%.

Read Article
JIA_0.jpg

Arthritis as a Harbinger of Pediatric Cancer

d Jack Cush, MD

Lancet Rheumatology has published a cohort analysis showing that a small but significant subset of children presenting with arthralgia or arthritis may have a pediatric malignancy.

Read Article
ANCA, vasculitis, test

ACR/Vasculitis Foundation 2021 Guidelines for ANCA–Associated Vasculitis

d Jack Cush, MD

Chung et al have published the 2021 treatment guielines for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. These guidelines are put forth by the ACR and the Vasculitis Foundation as benchmark guidance to assist health care professionals in managing AAV.  

Read Article
steroids.prednisone.pills_.jpg

Slow Steroid Tapering Succeeds in SLE

d MedPage Today

Gradual withdrawal of glucocorticoids was successful among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after 2 years of clinically quiescent disease, without an increased likelihood of flares, Canadian researchers reported.

Read Article
fetus,defect,baby,malformation

Potential Birth Defects with Hydroxychloroquine

d Jack Cush, MD

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is one of the safest meds used in rheumatology, but there is new claims data suggesting a small increase in the risk of malformations associated with first-trimester HCQ use.

Read Article
Todays NEJM: Ruxolitinib effective in glucocorticoid-refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Dz. Phase 3, 329 pts; wk 24 responses better w/ RUX (50 vs 26%; P<0.001). Important? as there is phase 2 data showing JAK efficacy in scleroderma https://t.co/ygLevqfuMW

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

In 2016, 552,230 RA adults were hospitalized -1120 for influenza, 590 H zoster, & 785 for S. pneumoniae. These infections constituted 0.5% of RA hospitalizations at a cost of $124 million & 13,750 hosp stay days. https://t.co/7vtsWafGvv

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

2020 saw record numbers of drug overdose deaths (93,331) a big increase (29.4%) over 2019, according to CDC & Natl Center Health Statistics (NCHS). Overdose deaths 69,710 primarily fentanyl, Rx pain meds and cocaine https://t.co/K9GlWAeALS

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Telehealth has declined but still much higher than pre-pandemic. CMS is proposing to extend Medicare coverage of certain telehealth services until the end of 2023. A -3.75% payment adjustment has been proposed & will be debated https://t.co/ETK74d9uGT

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Metanalysis shows that Ustekinumab (effective in IBD) may also control skin and joint extra-intestinal manifestations. Despite no effect on spondylitis, UST was effective at PSO, PsA, pyoderma gangrenosum, E nodosum stomatitis and uveitis https://t.co/NPxJdYUM7I

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Systematic review of muscle relaxants use in nonspecific low back pain shows uncertain, small, but not clinically important reductions in pain in the 1st 2weeks. Muscle relaxants are 3rd most common Rx for LBP (30 mill Rx in 2016)(49 trials >6505 pts) https://t.co/zN5rvBF1HO

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Norwegian pre-pregnancy registry studied 274 axial SpA and 317 RA women. Longer time to pregnancy (TTP) seen in 21% (32% TTP >12 mos). Longer TTP associated with older age, nulliparity, and longer disease duration. https://t.co/kT7fqnhTkw https://t.co/8qC1N2K7vI

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NHANES survey study shows adult psoriasis in the US was 3.0% (7.5 million adults). Psoriasis was most common in non-Hispanic White individuals, and the prevalence of psoriasis has not significantly changed since 2003 in the US. https://t.co/3yrlPu1GGi

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Rare Myocarditis Risk following COVID-19 Vaccine https://t.co/Q9QGhTTKvC https://t.co/dTOR9sZ3iP

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA & CDC joint statement: Those who are "fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time". People who are not vaccinated remain at risk. Virtually all COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are among those who are unvaccinated. https://t.co/miqEJE4wgC

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Doximity Telemedicine report estimates 20% of US medical visits via telehealth; ~$29 billion of medical services in 2020. Top 10 telemedicine specialites: 1 Endocrinology 2 Rheumatology 3 GI 4 Renal 5 Cardiology 6 GU 7 Neuro 8 Geriatrics 9 Hem/Onc 10 Pulm https://t.co/a8WBEHmNzs

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

6/24/21 FDA has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for Actemra (tocilizumab) us in treating hospitalized COVID-19 (adults and kids) patients on steroids and who require, supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or ECMO https://t.co/YAVfbykcti

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Modest IL-6 mAb benefit w/ COVID. Metanalysis 27 RCTs & 10 930 hosp COVID pts shows 28D all-cause mortality lower w/ IL-6i (vs usual care.PBO) (OR 0.86), better w/ steroids (OR 0.78). Mortality 22% w/ IL-6i vs 25% usual care. https://t.co/rTLjGMMe2g https://t.co/nz1sbKlk2E

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
How should anti-IL-6 mAb therapy be used in COVID-19 infection? 1. w/ corticosteroids 2. Early/severe pts: 3. Hospitalized on O2, but not ventilated https://t.co/S6DT0Fsjow https://t.co/oeM8EgZk8n

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Lit review shows there are few good studies patients on the management of hospitalised gout pts. No studies have tested strategies designed to prevent gout re-admissions/flares. Better prospective studies of ULT use by hosp gout is needed https://t.co/OVkMTepa5y

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

×