All News

ranew.jpg (keep)

Upadacitinib is Superior to Methotrexate in Early RA

d Jack Cush, MD

In a head-to-head trial against methotrexate, JAK1 inhibition with upadacitinib was shown to be more effective in early, DMARD-naive RA patients. Here are the primary results.

Read Article
MRI.kneepain.jpg

ACP/AAFP Guidelines on Managing Musculoskeletal Pain

d RheumNow

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended as first-line therapy in a new guideline for treating acute, non-low back pain from musculoskeletal injuries in outpatient settings.

Read Article
COVID.virus_.corona.jpg (keep)

Increased Lupus Anticoagulant Activity in COVID-19 Infection

d Jack Cush, MD

JAMA Network Open reports that after adjusting for inflammation, lupus anticoagulant (LA) is significantly increased (positive) in COVID-19 patients and that LA positivity was associated with incidence risk of thrombotic events.

Read Article
janefingr.JPG

Is Mortality Improving in Systemic Sclerosis?

d Jack Cush, MD

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive autoimmune disorder that causes premature death, usually from lung, GI, or renal disease. While treatment efforts have been frustrating advances in care may have altered the risk of death according to population data showing that while SSc mortality increased from 1968 through 2000, it has declined since 2001.

Read Article
podcast logo

RheumNow Podcast - The SARS-CoV-2 Update (8-14-20)

d Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush updates the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com, with information on enthesitis, nr-Ax-SpA, UAB, Blockbuster Rheum Drugs and use of ACE inhibitors.

Read Article
Gilead/Galapagos gets a setback for filgotinib, its JAK1 inhib, that was poised to be the next approved RA drug by FDA. Instead the FDA issued a complete response letter; citing concerns over sperm studies (MANTA, MANTA-RAy) & 200 mg dose. Delay till 2021? https://t.co/H0rLjOMXq8 https://t.co/Rk8PXblfPO

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Single center prospective study of 50 severe SLE pts (age 31 - 28 yrs) Rx with either mycophenolate or IV CTX. Ovarian dysfunction was short lived and subclinical w/ CTX. No premature ovarian failure seen w/ CTX. No ovarian dysfunction w/ MMF. https://t.co/qvc3i6TNB1

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Study 137 GCA pts (1993 -2015) - those w/ diabetes were less likely to have (+)Tem artery Bx & more likely to relapse. ARB Rx prior to diagnosis showed greater success discontinuing glucocorticoids. Statin therapy did not alter clinical outcomes of GCA.https://t.co/YUjSsDCArW

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Preprint analyses of RCTs and 11 nonRCTs showed JAK-inhibitor use in COVID-19 reduced mortality (OR 0.12; 0.03-0.39) & ICU admission (OR 0.05; 0.01-0.26). Similarly Type I interferon Rx also significantly reduced mortality (OR, 0.19; 0.04-0.85, p=0.03) https://t.co/NqKCGzcfwF

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Diabetes is a risk factor for COVID mortality; yet Metformin dramatically lowers mortality in a preprint, unreviewed paper - retrospective EHR review of 25,326 subjects COVID tested at UAB; metformin signif reduced mortality risk in DM w/ COVID (OR 0.33) https://t.co/DvZ4b3al1Y

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Highlight of this morning's telephone clinic: Instead of the usual goodbye, patient says 🗨️You do a good job! This means a lot to all of us trying our best to look after patients in this trying times😊 Thank you for your kindness!😀

Dr Ai Lyn Tan DrAiLynTan ( View Tweet)

Comparison of three different definitions of low disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and their prognostic utilities https://t.co/UKEvGrLbfw #SLE #LLDAS LLDAS - less damage fewer flares better function

Links:

Peter Nash drpnash ( View Tweet)

NJ study of 764 ICU COVID-19 pts, 210 (27%) received tocilizumab. TCZ treated patients had a lower death rate (49% vs 61%) (HR 0·64, 95% CI 0·47–0·87; p=0·004). Similar results seen in those requiring mechanical vent. or CRP >15 mg/dL https://t.co/idZTDunG1a

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

NY Times article about a "guy and aching legs". 48 yrs old w/ myalgias, wt loss, SOB, sinusitis, high inflammatory markers, pulmonary infiltrates, microscopic hematuria, red & swollen ears; but no fever/chills. You're a rheumatologist, you know the Dx. https://t.co/fbrRMNA5u4 https://t.co/JFOcM0MBxB

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RheumNow Podcast - The SARS-CoV-2 Update (8-14-20) Dr. Jack Cush highlights the latest numbers on COVID-19 and its impact on Rheumatic Patients. Also, Top 4 best sellers, new take on NR-Ax-SpA & enthesitis https://t.co/IJAHGynSNd

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

The RheumNow Podcast is up: The SARS-CoV-2 Update with info on enthesitis, nr-Ax-SpA, UAB, Blockbuster Rheum Drugs and use of ACE inhibitors. Watch it here> https://t.co/1WUZQJajgW or podcast listen here>> https://t.co/IJAHGynSNd

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Check out my Virtual Video Exam - 5 minutes of a combo of Simon Sez and the Macarena hits the high points of a functional virtual examination. https://t.co/iwHTJKQtEC

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Health Care Personnel in NYC - 46 117 were tested. Overall 13.7% were seropositive. For PCR-positive HCP, 93.5% were also seropositive; PCR-negative HCP 89.7% were also seronegative. https://t.co/ZjzQUK6jmW

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Study of 181 elderly pts with knee osteoarthritis: Kellgren-Lawrence scores were not associated w/ depression, cognitive loss, QOL, but higher KL 2-4 were assoc w/ the worst WOMAC scores and risk of falls. Thus WOMAC correlates w/ Xray damage in Knee OA https://t.co/OMBA2g5f9J

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Study of 52 Takayasus arteritis patients (age 31 yrs; 6yrs F/U): 15 (29%) had severe severe ischemic events (13/15 at or before Dx): 5 CVA, 5 ACS, 1 ischemic cardiomyopathy, 4 limb ischemia. Dz outcomes & damage scores were similar with and without SIE. https://t.co/Qhzks0gJz6

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

×