Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index for Liver Fibrosis is calculated from age, AST, ALT, Plts. Study of 174 RA, PsA, PsO pts on MTX find 11% w/ fibrosis (by elastography). FIB-4 AUC for fibrosis =0.68 (weak). Fibrosis was signif assoc w/ FIB-4 >1.62, DM, obesity, advanced steatosis https://t.co/GYrhs2U1s3
We have spent decades teaching that a gout flare is a joint problem: a hot, swollen, painful joint that we treat with anti-inflammatory drugs and move on from (i.e., the treat to avoid symptoms strategy). The campaign title says it well — gout is more than flares. I would add that a flare is more than a joint problem. It is a transient, systemic inflammatory event and we should consider it as such.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of bile ducts, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, & liver failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid is 1st line Rx. New Rx include elafibranor & seladelpar (activates peroxisome https://t.co/tKloXvJYek
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
UK primary care database (2000–21) gout study of new colchicine initiators (n 31,478) vs noninitiators (mean 60 yrs, BMI 30), follow-up of 4.5 yrs. Colchicine use had a signif. 12% lower risk of Joint Arthroplasty (HR 0.88); 23% lower TJA in knee/hip OA (HR 0.77) https://t.co/bT07lUYBB2
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
GI dz & malnutrition in scleroderma (SSc) is common, assessed by BMI. Among 450 SSc (F/U 5.3 yrs), lower BMI were significantly assoc w/ pseudoobstruction, smaller oral aperture, higher Medsger vascular severity scores. Defines those at risk https://t.co/JY9YFOWE5C https://t.co/xFZ0rCXjQv
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Expert Perspective on Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
A current perspective article by Dr. Sara Tedeschi tackles many unresolved issues around CPPD diagnosis, classification, and management, including the lack of clinical trials or FDA approved treatments. https://t.co/zxJ9aQweNl
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Among 784,091 pts in a UK acute MI registry, 715 (0.1%) had SLE. SLE pts were younger & more female. SLE w/ MI had signif higher adjusted all-cause mortality from 30 days (HR 1.62) to 5 years (HR 1.84), despite age & having less traditional cardiovascular comorbidities https://t.co/78oHVWTdTJ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Nerandomilast (Jascayd) has been approved in the European Union for adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). The drug was approved for IPF & PPF by the FDA for US use in late 2025 https://t.co/scOuVb3aYy https://t.co/EcmpRhyWgu
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Coding: ICD-10 Code M45.7 describes ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral region, a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code valid for FY2026. M45.7 became effective October 1, 2025 and belongs to the M45 parent category covering ankylosing spondylitis by anatomical site. https://t.co/jBmoD0CVps
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Chinese cohort of 209 AOSD pts identifed 49 (23%) w/ lung dz (by CXR), yet 69% were asymptomatic. Significcant risk factors for AOSD-LD were pleuritis, MAS (HR 2.62), & Dz relapse (HR 2.6). Imaging patterns: acute exudative pattern most prevalent, followed by interstitial and https://t.co/2IPJWRJicP
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis and Management
https://t.co/L9nA1TlJKx https://t.co/G4bkxTsXCt
