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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com; and pays homage to colleagues who passed away in 2024.
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Lancet reports a French study demonstrating the efficacy of baricitinib in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
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Lancet reports that the use of dazukibart, a selective monoclonal antibody against interferon B (IFNβ), was clinically effective in reducing disease activity in adults with active dermatomyositis (DM).
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A pilot trial has shown a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag (Promacta), to be effective in connective tissue disease-related (CTD), refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Dr. John Cush
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ACR: Congress Fails to Reform PBMs, Mitigate Medicare Cuts Save
The ACR praised the limited extension of Medicare telehealth coverage but criticized Congress for not passing measures to increase transparency in PBM practices, address insurer issues, or prevent upcoming Medicare… https://t.co/pJ5f6LvELe https://t.co/jT3UJAx5It
Dr. John Cush
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Medicare has announced another 15 expensive drugs (now total 25) undergoing price negotiation with manufacturers. Enbrel and Stelara were in the 1st ten. Included in the next 15 Rx are Ofev (nintenib) & Otezla (apremilast) & GLP-1 drugs. https://t.co/SBwSprvo6K… https://t.co/okJXJCgOFm https://t.co/im2ggtgvt3
Dr. John Cush
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FDA has sent a Drug Safety Letter to VETERINARIANS about the use of Librela (bedinvetmab) & reported adverse reactions, deaths and neurological problems (ataxia, seizures, paresis). Rx was approved 5/23 to treat pain from osteoarthritis in dogs. https://t.co/LIZ4ZzXtmk https://t.co/uOVc2xsD5g
Dr. John Cush
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Study of predominantly older males from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data, shows the use of b/ts-DMARDs is not associated with a risk for multiple myeloma. From 27,540 RA pts, 30% took b/tsDMARD, 77 incident MM (HR1.32;95% CI 0.78, 2.26) https://t.co/KZLEfq8vRK https://t.co/7qLQISRCoC
Dr. John Cush
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U.S. overdose deaths far outpace other countries. In 2023 US drug overdoses >100,000 for 3rd year — a >50% jump since 2019. 2022 rate=324/1 million. High rates attributed to fentanyl, polysubstance use, counterfeit pills, variance in state policies on harm reduction… https://t.co/IYpytkEgpt https://t.co/HrrU9SCJT1
Dr. John Cush
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BACHELOR Trial - Baricitinib in Early Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Lancet reports a French study demonstrating the efficacy of baricitinib in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy in PMR patients and may be problematic in older… https://t.co/svLmE6OBWm https://t.co/K8sdROswxV
Dr. John Cush
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Eltrombopag, a Potential New Treatment for ITP
A pilot trial has shown a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag (Promacta), to be effective in connective tissue disease-related (CTD), refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
https://t.co/hYSAEKOjq5 https://t.co/QzBNA3SWVo
Dr. John Cush
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SetPoint Medical has applied to FDA for pre-market approval of Vagal nerve neuroimmune modulation device to Rx mod-severe #RA, not responding to 2 biologics. Based on RESET-RA 242 pt, 12 wk RCT showing ACR20=35% vs 24% PBO resp. SAE only 1.7%. https://t.co/d8RfXBFUSS https://t.co/Fq1qkfo1NM
Dr. John Cush
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VA (Veterans) study of 531 RA-ILD (among 9,701 incident RA) vs 68,852 matched controls - finds exposure to fire smoke PM2.5 assoc w/ RA-ILD/aOR 1.98 (but not RA). NOx, ozone, and PM10 assoc w/ seroneg. RA risk (aOR 1.16-1.25) . Pollution increases risk of RA & RA-ILD… https://t.co/AuG4rRtx4r https://t.co/XyHtjrSfhi
Dr. John Cush
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FDA Approves First Generic of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Victoza (liraglutide injection) to Lower Blood Sugar in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes https://t.co/1BYQFU2PsY https://t.co/jmbS9UDnhI
Dr. John Cush
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U.S. overdose deaths far outpace other countries. In 2023 US drug overdoses >100,000 for 3rd year — a >50% jump since 2019. 2022 rate=324/1 million. High rates attributed to fentanyl, polysubstance use, counterfeit pills, variance in state policies on harm reduction… https://t.co/oHtiMytdtR https://t.co/DLFPYEkdRC
Dr. John Cush
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Study of 1032 adults > 50 yrs on dialysis compared denosumab vs or oral bisphosphonates. 3 yr results showed compared with oral bisphosphonates, denosumab lowered the risk for fractures by 45% and increased the risk for MACE by 36% https://t.co/aogIFBrccy https://t.co/cnlxt5OEjj
Dr. John Cush
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Anti-Zoster Drug Prevents Shingles in Lupus Patients on Anifrolumab
The antiviral drug valaciclovir (Valtrex), given prophylactically, kept patients with SLE under treatment with anifrolumab (Saphnelo) from having herpes zoster attacks, researchers said, offering a potential… https://t.co/I3u8tK5EMq https://t.co/VItPWtrPUA
Dr. John Cush
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Marketscan claims data study assessed fall risk in 57 086 older adult starting gabapentin vs duloxetine & found gabapentin was not associated with increase in falls. At 6-mos, gabapentin had lower risk of falls (HR 0.52; 0.43 to 0.64]. https://t.co/agrdzkxNdL https://t.co/Te981iDMZU
Dr. John Cush
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Does Colchicine Lower Gout Mortality Risk?
Data from a large UK database finds that gout patients starting urate-lowering therapy (ULT) will benefit from added colchicine prophylaxis by having fewer cardiovascular events.
https://t.co/89BXT5OnVS https://t.co/N4IQzRpcPk
Dr. John Cush
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Study of 1032 adults > 50 yrs on dialysis compared denosumab vs or oral bisphosphonates. 3 yr results showed compared with oral bisphosphonates, denosumab lowered the risk for fractures by 45% and increased the risk for MACE by 36% https://t.co/evaTc8Ag5Y https://t.co/wps14UddgP
