Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
VA registry study; among 2771 RA pts (~65y), 64 (2.3%) had CPPD by ICD9/10 codes. RA+CPPD pts signif older [68 v. 64y], w/ more comorbidity/OA (94 v 80%), spine Dz, DM, but less ACPA (63 v 78%). SNRA+CPPD achieved less LDA, more use of pred & b/tsDMARDs (OR >2), death, TJR. Is https://t.co/hUPJzDseVc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
AC&R metanalysis of Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) in adults - 46 studies (n=23,000 pts). GJH required 6 or more Beighton criteria, w/ prevalence of 2%, but 5% in young adults (18-25 yrs). Propose Dx thresholds should vary w/ age = ≥6/9 (18-25y), ≥5/9 (26-65y) & ≥4/9 https://t.co/fgDGKwUozh
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Obesity and Low Back Pain
A large patient population study finds weight gain, increases risk for low back pain - the risk increased 7% for every BMI unit or 10 pounds over ideal weight.
https://t.co/EZQwhLpNjg https://t.co/tIlEQmedp7
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
58 newly Dx #PMR pts (on <8 wks steroids/GC) randomised 1:1 MTX 25 mg/wk or placebo, w/ 24-week GC-tapering protocol. @wk 52 GC-free remission achieved in 80% of MTX vs 46% of placebo pts (risk difference 34%, 1-sided 95% CI: 14%, 1-sided P = .0042) https://t.co/75SLx5LtqZ https://t.co/HtDAJe5VI2
A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology demonstrates that subcutaneous administration of anifrolumab provides efficacy comparable to intravenous administration, offering a promising alternative for at-home care of patients living with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus.
In 2025, Rheumatology lost many of our greatest clinicians, compatriots, and mentors. This is an honor roll for those who cared, taught, advised and supported many patients, and many of us.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Adult co-twin study of 1261 pairs, 1/2 Rx w/ metformin. Although metformin Rx Twin had higher BMI, they had significantly less incident peripheral OA (adjusted HR 0.60; 0.44–0.82). @ 10 yrs, 6.7% of treated twins, vs 9.7% of non-treated twins had incident OA, with difference of https://t.co/7KpiGssFSo
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Systematic review of Difficult-to-treat RA (D2T-RA): 23 articles, 27,987 RA pts from 13 countries - pooled prevalence of D2T-RA was 11.7% (10.9% overall; 13.2% in b/tsDMARDs-treated RA). 47% D2T-RA had persistent inflammatory refractory RA (PIRRA). Prevalence decreased w/ https://t.co/0Gatzbfxid
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Anti-mitochondrial M2 Ab (AMA-M2) in 987 IIM pts-- 55 (6%) were AMA-M2 positive. AMA-M2+ had signif. higher rates of polymyositis (56% vs 23.5%), GGT, alk phos levels, & 3 fold more cardiac involvement (60 vs 13%) (arrhythmias, CHF, pulm HTN (31-56%), but no effect on survival https://t.co/WYWeDpiYOh
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
DPC - direct primary care offices run by nurse practitioners - states that allow independent NP practices have NPs opening DPC offices, that operate under a membership model, with pts paying for access to the office services, tests, and imaging. Over 2,300 DPC offices currently
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
APP Pearls “Steroids: Set a stop date upfront, educate on side effects, and teach "every milligram matters." Prevents dependence and eases tapering” - Barbara A. Slusher, MSW, PA-C, DFAAPA, DipACLM
A randomized clinical trial of 60 patients found that glucocorticoid injections into the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) did not significantly reduce pain scores in patients with inflammatory knee osteoarthritis (compared to placebo).
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Congratulations to Dr. Proton Raman - a world class rheumatologist and research scientist!!! https://t.co/ofzGLsofi0
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Best of 2025: 2025 BSR Guideline for Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
The British Society of Rheumatology's 2025 Guidelines for treating axSpa focus on both axial and extra-musculoskeletal issues like uveitis, psoriasis, and IBD. They evaluate the effectiveness and safety of https://t.co/fxFcqy13g7
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
6 months 3 weeks ago
Comorbidity and Health Management: Tuesday Night Rheumatology Join panelists Vanessa Hill, NP-C, Lindsay Tom, PA-C, Barb Slusher, MSW, PA-C and Jack Cush, MD as they discuss comorbidity and health management in rheumatic disease. https://t.co/3KMgBW1Q4W https://t.co/4dVfKd7uy5
