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Gout Crystal Deposition is Deeper than its Measures
Dalbeth and colleagues have published that among gout patients without palpable tophic and despite long term allopurinol, nearly half have monosodium urate (MSU) as detected by Dual-energy CT (DECT). The total body urate deposition is even greater in those with higher sUA and evidence
Read ArticleOral Anticoagulation Effective Following Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery
Many protocols call for anticoagulation after total hip or total knee arthroplasty to prevent venous thromboembolism (proximal deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), and some reports have suggested a role for aspiring or direct oral anticoagulants as preventative therapy. The NEJM has reported that oral anticoagulation with rivaroxaban (Xarelto) followed by aspirin to be effective prophylaxis.
Read ArticleT2T Improves Primary Care Gout Management
Researchers from Geisinger Medical center tested a pilot primary care gout management improvement intervention, and demonstrated significantly improved primary care gout management metrics when a treat to target approach was implemented.
Read ArticleNailfold Capillaroscopy Portends Prognosis in Systemic Sclerosis
Two reports underscore the importance of nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) in scleroderma and have shown that nailfold capillary drop out was significantly associated with mortality in systemic sclerosis.
Read ArticleFuture Shortage of Rheumatologists in the USA
In Arthritis & Rheumatology, the American College of Rheumatology updates their projections for the rheumatology workforce between 2015 and 2030, noting that despite an aging population and an increase in the rheumatology fellowship positions, there will be a significant shortage of rheumatologists by 2030.
Read ArticleWeight Loss Linked to RA Improvement
By retrospectively reviewing electronic health record (EHR) data, Kreps et al found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who lost >5 kg of weight were three times more likely to demonstrate improvement in disease activity.
Read Article40% of Arthritis Patients Fail to Receive Exercise Guidance
The latest issue of CDC’s MMWR reports that exercise counseling among arthritis patients increased from 52% to 61% (2002 to 2014); hence ~40% do not receive health care provider counseling, suggesting the need for provider education and training in exercise counseling, and improved electroni
Read ArticleThe RheumNow Week in Review - 5 January 2018
Dr Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleDespite Increasing Metric Use, They Are Not Widespread in Rheumatoid Care
The Journal of Rheumatology has published a nationwide survey of US rheumatologists and shown that despite trends for increasing metric assessments, nearly half of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are not routinely assessed with a disease activity metric and the evidence they
Read ArticleBone Marrow Edema May be Found in Normals, Athletes and Military Recruits
Rheumatology has published a study demonstrating that bone marrow edema as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be found in healthy people, but that such changes do not change with intense physical activity.
Read ArticleFatigue, HAQ and Hand Disability Correlated in Early Systemic Sclerosis
Early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) was associated with high levels of disability and fatigue, according to analysis of data from the European Scleroderma Observational Study cohort.
Read ArticleThe RheumNow Week in Review - 8 December 2017
Dr. Jack Cush covers the news and journal articles published on RheumNow.comin the past week.
Read ArticleFibromyalgia Diagnosed by Two Simple Tests
Researchers from the Oregon Health Science Center have reported that fibromyalgia can be distinguished from chronic pain by primary care providers (PCPs) who employ two simple screening tests: BP cuff-evoked pain and a single patient question, and pain induced by pinching the Achilles tendon.&nbs
Read ArticleThe ACR17 RheumNow Week in Review - 1 December 2017
Dr Jack Cush reviews nighlights and news from the past 2 weeks on RheumNow.com. This week's report includes new drug approvals, disappointing ACR guidelines, Lyme & Zika, infertility, dermatomyositis skin outcomes and myositis-associated cancer testing.
Read ArticleACR Clinical Guidelines Flawed by Low Evidence
JAMA Internal Medicine has reported that recommendations and clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology are often based on expert opinion, but lack rigorous (grade A) evidence to support many of their recommendations.
Read ArticlePhysician Visit Times Vary Worldwide
A metanalysis published in BMJ Open shows that for half of the world’s population, primary care doctor visits last less than five minutes and that the range is from 48 seconds in Bangladesh to 22.5 minutes in Sweden (US PCP visit averages at 20 minutes).
Read ArticleSurgical Decompression Ineffective for Subacromial Shoulder Pain
Lancet reports that a common surgical intervention, arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression is ineffective compared to arthroscopy or no surgery at all.
Read ArticleComparative Risk of Biologic Therapies in RA Patients Undergoing Elective Arthroplasty
During today’s plenary session Micheal D. George, et al. presented results of a study that sought to compare risk of post-op infections in RA patients undergoing arthroplasty exposed to biologic DMARDs versus methotrexate.
Read ArticleThe Big Need - NPs and PAs
Despite being one of the most satisfying of medical subspecialties, the number of U.S. rheumatologists is about to sharply decline. These data were presented at the 2016 ACR meeting, where it was shown that the estimated total number of U.S.
Read ArticleNew EULAR Guidelines for Ultrasound Use
In the current issue of ARD, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has revised and updated its 2001 guideline for musculoskeletal (MS) ultrasound (US) in rheumatology; this time incorporating new advances, technological developments and use indications in rheumatology. EULAR has provided this as an educational tool and standard reference for MSUS practice and research in rheumatology.
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