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Best of 2023: MSK Symptoms from Dupilimab, an IL-4/13 Inhibitor
A new MSK syndrome of inflammatory enthesitis/arthritis/tenosynovitis has been described in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients treated with the IL-4 receptor antagonist, dupilumab.
Read ArticleBest of 2023: Colchicine or Prednisone in CPPD?
The COLCHICORT trial in patients with acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis (CPPD) demonstrated equivalent efficacy for both colchicine and prednisone, yet different safety signals were seen.
Read ArticleBest of 2023: 2022 EULAR Recommendations for ANCA-associated Vasculitis
EULAR has published the 2022 update on recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). AAV recommendations were last published in 2016, and since, research and clinical trials have advanced our understanding of AAV. A EULAR task force of 20 experts from 16 countries, reviewed the literature and developed four overarching principles and 17 recommendations.
Read ArticleBest of 2023: 25 Great Women in Rheumatology
This week I reached out to many leaders in rheumatology and asked: who are the great women in rheumatology who should be recognized? This was prompted by a smart article in Annals of Rheumatic Disease written by Drs. Tuhina Neogi (Boston) and Nicola Dalbeth (N. Zealand), entitled "Where are the women ‘Heroes and Pillars of Rheumatology’?
Read ArticleBest of 2023: Time to Risk Stratify Methotrexate Lab Monitoring?
A longitudinal cohort analysis has developed a prognostic model that informs a risk stratified approach to monitoring blood tests during long term methotrexate (MTX) therapy.
Read ArticleGender Gap Confirmed for TNF Inhibitor Response in Axial SpA
Men with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) were more likely than women to obtain substantial relief with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, a multinational study indicated.
Read ArticleICYMI: ACR Plenaries: Changing the Practice of Rheumatology
Over the years of navigating the annual meeting, I found the sessions with the most impact to my practice were the Plenary Sessions. During these sessions, the latest research is presented, new ideas are floated, and old myths debunked. Here are the top ACR2023 Plenary abstracts I found impactful for my practice.
Read ArticleEULAR 2023 Recommendations on Fatigue
Fatigue is highly prevalent in inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (I-RMDs) patients, is often unaddressed and yet it has significant effects on patient quality of life. A EULAR task force set out to develop recommendations for the management of fatigue in people with I-RMDs.
Read ArticleCDC: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2021-2022
The current CDC report estimates that 1.3% of adults had myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), based on the most recent population based National Health Interview Survey (NHIS 2021–2022).
Read ArticleCBT or Naltrexone in Fibromyalgia (12.8.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. Be sure to catch the early registration break for 2024 RheumNow Live.
Read ArticleICYMI: How early is early in psoriatic arthritis?
Guidelines (ACR/EULAR/GRAPPA) for the management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) recommend the early referral of patients with the suspected condition for early assessment and treatment.
Read ArticleSlower Weight Loss May Affect Osteoarthritis Survival
Arthritis & Rheumatology has published a new study that suggests knee or hip osteoarthritis patients who are overweight or obese may have less premature death if slow to moderate rate of weight loss results from anti-obesity medications.
Read ArticleICYMI: How do we manage difficult discussions about pregnancy in RA?
Most rheumatologists know that it is important to get pregnancy planning right for women of childbearing age living with rheumatic diseases. That is easier said than done, though: the details are difficult, it is overwhelming for the patient, and the conversations are hard.
Read ArticlePost-Menopausal Osteoporosis Review and Recommendations
A recent New England Journal review of post-menopausal osteoporosis (OP) provided updated information, strategies and a review of guidelines and clinical recommendations. Here are the salient highlights.
Read ArticleIs MTX Safe in the Elderly? (12.1.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews this past week's news and journal reports from RheumNow.com. Good news is that nearly 99% of adult rheumatology positions matched! But the challenge is that 45% of pediatric fellowship programs and 39% of pediatric rheum slots were unfilled in the 2024 NRMP match.
Read ArticleRheum Fellowship Slots Fill Up for 2024
While adult rheumatology programs continue to have high match rates, pediatric rheumatology programs remain less popular.The National Residency Matching Program announced yesterday that the 2024 rheumatology fellowship match filled 97.6% (124/127) of programs, and 98.9% (273/276) of rheumatology fellowship positions. This is on par with last years (2023) adult rheumatology match wherein 97.8% (265/271) of the rheumatology fellow positions were filled.
Read ArticleMTX Toxicity in Older CKD Patients
You know this; you've taught this; but here's a good study documenting a higher risk of methotrexate toxicity when used in the setting of older patients with chronic kidney disease.
Yesterday's JAMA published a higher 90-day risk of serious adverse events in older adults with CKD taking low-dose methotrexate, compared to hydroxychloroquine.
Plotting Future ACR Convergence Meetings (11.24.2023)
In this week's podcast, Dr. Jack Cush reviews the ACR Convergence 2023 meeting and proposes how to best learn at your next large medical meeting.
Read ArticleWhy are older RA patients getting mistreated?
Most rheumatologists, if asked, would say that every rheumatoid arthritis patient should be started on a DMARD of some sort - if not at diagnosis, then pretty soon after. So I am genuinely shocked that, in a large United States Medicare 20% sample dataset between 2008-17, less than 30% of new RA patients aged 66 years or older have a DMARD initiated.
Read ArticleCan Rheumatologists Accurately Diagnose axSpA in Patients with Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic low back pain is a common complaint that brings patients to the doctor’s attention. Although the majority of low back pain is mechanical in nature, an important minority is inflammatory in nature.
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