All News
COVID-19 Systemic Involvement
The presentations of the COVID-19 infection have been clearly chronicled with the worrisome onset of sore throat, dry cough, loss of smell and taste with fevers, myalgias, fatigue and the worrisome progression of pulmonary involvement in a minority. Lab findings may include a leukocytosis,
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Rituximab in Rheumatoid Vasculitis
The Journal of Rheumatology reports a retrospective, single center, analysis of 17 rheumatoid vasculitis patients who responded well to intravenous rituximab (RTX) therapy.
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ACR COVID-19 Guidance for Rheumatic Disease Patients
On April 11th, the ACR Board of Directors approved a COVID-19 guidance document written by an ACR task force charged with updating and clarifying recommendations for rheumatologists and rheumatic disease patient management during the current COVID-19 crisis.
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Post 9/11 Autoimmune Disease Risk
The 9/11/01 terrorist attach on the World Trade Center (WTC) resulted in at least 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. Arthritis & Rheumatology reports that dust cloud exposure among responders and
Read ArticleGuselkumab a Hit in Phase III for PsA
The monoclonal antibody guselkumab (Tremfya), which binds the interleukin (IL)-23 p19 subunit, was effective for psoriatic arthritis in two large clinical trials, providing comprehensive benefits for this heterogeneous disorder, investigators reported in The Lancet.
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Low Risk with Immunosuppression at Surgery
The Annals of Rheumatic Disease reports that rheumatoid arthritis patients on biologic therapies do not have a greater risk of postoperative infection after hip fracture, abdominopelvic or cardiac surgery compared (compared with those on methotrexate alone) and that glucocorticoids were associated with a dose-dependent increase risk for postoperative infections.
RheumNow Podcast – The Beginning of Something Else (4.10.20)
Dr Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com
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Coagulopathy and Antiphospholipid Antibodies with Covid-19
The New England Journal of Medicine has featured a report of three COVID infected patients, who developed peripheral and central infarcts with a antiphospholipid antibodies.
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TNR - Grand Rounds: Safety of Biologics & New Agents
On Tuesday, April 7th, RheumNow hosted its first Tuesday Nite Rheumatology webinar - kicking off a two-month series of Rheumatology Grand Rounds lectures. The first session featured Jack Cush, MD (UT Southwestern) who lectured on "The Safety of Biologics and Newer Agents".
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Incubation Period for COVID-19
The incubation period for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has important implications for surveillance and control activities. The Annals of Internal Medicine reports a pooled analysis of confirmed COVID-19 cases January 4, 2020 and February 24, 2020.
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Tanezumab: A Win as Last-Ditch Osteoarthritis Tx
A phase III study of the nerve growth factor and monoclonal antibody tanezumab showed positive results in a refractory patient population with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) -- good enough that this agent may finally be approved after a long and rocky development road.
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NICE Guidelines on Managing Rheumatologic Conditions During COVID-19 Pandemic
On April 3rd, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK, published a rapid guideline for managing children and adults with rheumatological autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic bone disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, while protecting staff from infection.
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COVID Town Hall Meeting for Rheumatology
On Thursday, April 2nd, RheumNow hosted its' first Town Hall Meeting for Rheumatologist, with this 90 minute discussion devoted to the COVID-19 crisis as it affects Rheumatologists.
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RheumNow Podcast – Pandemic Numbers (4.3.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news on COVID-19 and FDA actions this past week. Be sure to check out:
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Universal Masking for COVID?
In early March 2020, there were widespread recommendations that wearing routine "surgical masks" by the public sector was not likely to be helpful or advisable. Now we are hearing of a 180 degree shift in thinking with the CDC, leading health officials and the current NEJM Perspective pointing to more widespread use of masks by healthcare workers and even by individuals in the public sector.
RheumNow Podcast – New World Order (3.27.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and COVID developments from this past week.
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COVID-19 Rheumatology News
With the COVID-19 pandemic dynamically changing, we have provided several news items germane to the Rheumatologist.
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In Lupus, Keep BP Below 130/80
Blood pressure should be maintained at a level below 130/80 mm Hg in all patients with lupus to lessen their likelihood of atherosclerotic vascular events, Canadian researchers asserted.
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The COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Registry
As the highly virulent SARS-CoV-2 spreads over the world, uncertainty and fear for our patients with rheumatic diseases mount.
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Rheumatic Disease Drugs and COVID-19
We are in the early stages of trying to limit the morbid and mortal consequences of the corona virus pandemic of 2020. Not surprisingly, the recommendations designed to limit exposure and damage continually highlight the fact that the elderly and immunosuppressed may be amongst the most severely affected should they become infected with this virus.
This has led to a great deal of uncertainty by patients and providers about how rheumatic diseases and their treatments need to be specifically addressed.