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Cannabis Use is Common, But is it Safe?
Two current JAMA reports suggest that cannabis use is not only common, but that if heavily used may increase mortality rates.
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Molecular Profile for Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A new study led by the University of Córdoba, the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research and the Rheumatology Department at the Reina Sofía University Hospital in Córdoba has managed to establish, for the first time, the molecular profile of those patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have a higher risk of suffering cardiovascular events.
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JAK or TNF Inhibitor as First Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor outperformed tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers for substantially reducing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms in patients for whom conventional anti-rheumatic drugs had failed, a pragmatic head-to-head trial found.
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Role of Diet in Gout Risk
Diet has long been influential in gout care and risks. A large cohort study has shown that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of developing gout.
This prospective study assessed the risk of developing incident gout based on consumption of healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets.
ACR’s Run at Goliath (PCPs) (5.31.2024)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal reports and articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. The ACR (and Cush) address their new website designed to educate PCPs and APPs - what do you think?
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Metformin Lowers Gout Risk in Pre-Diabetes
A large, propensity score-matched cohort study shows that metformin use in patients with pre-diabetes significantly lowers the risk of future gout.
Biologic-treated Psoriasis has Less Progression to Psoriatic Arthritis
A single center study demonstrates that biologic treatment of psoriasis (PsO) significantly reduces the likelihood of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) development; suggesting a role for more aggressive treatment of PsO.
Hypertension not associated with High NSAID Doses in AxSpA
At the recent SPARTAN annual meeting in Cleveland, Dr. Jose Meade-Aguilar reported that amongst axial spondyloarthritis patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, there was no difference in the risk for hypertension when comparing those on high vs. low dose NSAIDs.
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Biomarkers Predictive of a Deucravacitinib Response in Psoriatic Arthritis
A phase II trial demonstrating the clinical efficacy of deucravacitinib, a TYK2 inhibitor, in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) suggests specific biologic effects identified by biomarkers may predict clinical responses.
Window of Opportunity in Psoriatic Arthritis
The Dutch southwest Early psoriatic arthritis (PsA) cohort study has demonstrated that the earlier the referral and diagnosis of PsA, the better the outcome.
No Link Between Autoimmune Diseases and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
Annals of Internal Medicine reports a study of more than 75,000 persons screened for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and found no association between autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) and MGUS.
SLE Cost of Care and Disease Activity
A longitudinal, multinational study shows that SLE patients achieving remission or low disease activity incur lower overall direct/indirect (DCs, ICs) healthcare costs than those with persistent activity.
Upside/Downside of Steroids in Lupus Nephritis
A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis (LN) demonstrates both the benefits and harms to early glucocorticoid (GC) regimens on lupus outcomes.
"Don't You Know Who I am?" (5.17.2024)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past 2 weeks. This week's question: can we prevent gout, ILD or psoriasis?
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Infectious Mortality in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders
Infectious conditions are a significant cause of mortality in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). Among patients hospitalized with an infection, we compared in-hospital and long-term (3-year) mortality between those with and without ARD.
Interferons and Lupus Subsets
In a new study, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have uncovered insights as to the relationship between interferons and lupus, which affects up to 1.5 million Americans.
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RECIPE Study: Non-opioid Analgesics following Total Hip Arthroplasty
Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty using a combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and dexamethasone, had optimal responses with the lowest morphine consumption, and fewer adverse events.
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Does Good Sleep Prevent Osteoporosis
As part of the University of Colorado Department of Medicine’s annual Research Day, held on April 23, faculty member Christine Swanson, MD, MCR, described her National Institutes of Health-funded clinical research on whether adequate sleep can help prevent osteoporosis.
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Multiplicative Adverse Effects of Social Determinants of Health in Lupus Nephritis: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review
A metanalysis shows that social determinants of health adversely impacts patients with lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is a significant complication of SLE, often with dramatic increases in morbid and mortal risks. Outcomes are likely to be augmented by social determinants of health, including socio-economic status, and social risk factors.
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Methotrexate Does Not Increase ILD Risk in Dermatomyositis
A cohort analysis of dermatomyositis (DM) patients starting immunomodulators finds that methotrexate use was not associated with an increased risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD).
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