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Transcranial Stimulation is Effective in Fibromyalgia

Jack Cush, MD

A randomized, controlled clinical trial in fibromyalgia (FM) has shown the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (A-tDCS) (along with exercise and pain neuroscience education [PNE]), in alleviating the pain. 

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Vitamin D Headlines (5.9.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and lupus highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com. Triple positivity, the gut and CRPS, and hope for better outcomes with Vitamin D therapy. 

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knee.oa_.jpg (keep)

Risk Factors for Knee Osteoarthritis

EurekAlert!

New research from the University of Sydney reveals that obesity, having a knee injury and occupational risks such as shift work and lifting heavy loads are primary causes of knee osteoarthritis.

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Metformin Effective in Osteoarthritis

MedPage Today

The diabetes drug metformin provided overweight/obese patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee with significantly greater pain relief than did placebo in a small randomized trial, researchers said.

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Rheumatology: Believe It or Not (4/25/2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Should we believe the reviews and metanalyses?

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back, LBP, spine, AS

Senescent "Zombie" Cells and Low Back Pain

EurekAlert!

In a preclinical study led by McGill University researchers, two drugs targeting “zombie cells” have been shown to treat the underlying cause of chronic low back pain.

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Genomics and Future Drug Targets for Osteoarthritis

EurekAlert!

A Nature article details the results of an osteoarthritis, genome-wide association study meta-analyses across up to 489,975 cases and 1,472,094 controls, establishing 962 independent associations, 513 of which have not been previously reported.

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Systematic review of fibromyalgia & sleep quality - 47 RCTs, 11094 pts showed CBT for insomnia had a significant improvement in sleep quality; but CBT for pain had no impact. Only moderate improvement w/ pregabalin, sodium oxybate; but no effect w/ amitriptyline, milnacipran, https://t.co/bArizMLGR8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systematic review of fibromyalgia & sleep quality - 47 RCTs, 11094 pts showed CBT for insomnia had a significant improvement in sleep quality; but CBT for pain had no impact. Only moderate improvement w/ pregabalin, sodium oxybate; but no effect w/ amitriptyline, milnacipran, https://t.co/AEqbShRh6e
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Psychological Bulletin has published that invalidating (gaslighting) pts Sxs can have harmful consequences. Includes pts dx w/ Ehlers-Danlos, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, POTS, Gulf War, IBS, long Covid, multiple chemical sensitivity, SLE, and vulvodynia.

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Psychological Bulletin has published that invalidating (gaslighting) pts Sxs can have harmful consequences. Includes pts dx w/ Ehlers-Danlos, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, POTS, Gulf War, IBS, long Covid, multiple chemical sensitivity, SLE, and vulvodynia.

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

National Inpatient Sample retrospective study of #RA pts using cannabis (n 42,415). Cannabis assoc w/ lower mortality (0.98% vs 2.71%; OR 0.50), depression (OR 0.47), chronic pain (OR 0.45), anxiety (OR 0.55); but more use of opioids (OR: 1.10), nicotine (OR: 1.35), & alcohol https://t.co/87SnCHVxkN
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Metformin Effective in Osteoarthritis The diabetes drug metformin provided overweight/obese patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee with significantly greater pain relief than did placebo in a small randomized trial, researchers said. https://t.co/7krvFFfRFC https://t.co/g1UyNjazUv

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Inflammatory vs. Noninflammatory Pain https://t.co/ZZLMnT8IVO https://t.co/AqqonM6Vht

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Inflammatory vs. Noninflammatory Pain https://t.co/ZZLMnT8IVO https://t.co/pD6nutctI0

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Senescent "Zombie" Cells and Low Back Pain In a preclinical study led by McGill University researchers, two drugs targeting “zombie cells” have been shown to treat the underlying cause of chronic low back pain. The condition affects millions of people worldwide. https://t.co/UxHH3bMGkQ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Metanalysis suggests MTX may be effective in knee OA. 6RCTs, 602 pts of MTX vs PBO, showed MTX significantly relieved pain (mean diff −0.44; P 0.0003) knee/hand OA; Functional improved for knee only, but no differences in quality-of-life outcome or adverse events https://t.co/lmBEnTLFHY
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retrospective study of 334 children with non-organic amplified MSK pain syndr(AMPS) plus back pain. Pts w/ localized AMPS were more likely to have a (+) straight leg raising test (P 0.01) & diffuse AMPS more likely to have allodynia & incongruent affect (reporting pain, but still https://t.co/unbub6VK0t
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ACP: Best Practice Advice on Cannabis or Cannabinoids Use for Chronic Noncancer Pain The American College of Physicians published a best practice advisory on cannabis or cannabinoids in the Annals of Internal Medicine. https://t.co/B0eWstjN0Z https://t.co/IzSEIeosme

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2nd Opinions in Rheumatology https://t.co/R4CjJHEaL4 https://t.co/0quDwdANyU

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