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Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease affecting an estimated 17 million people worldwide. The disease is caused by immune cells attacking the joints and can result in pain, swelling, and damage to the cartilage and bone. People with rheumatoid arthritis often develop osteoporosis, a more serious condition, as a result of the bone damage caused by immune cells and as a side effect of certain medications.
A Korean population based study found that people infected with COVID-19, especially severe COVID-19, had an increased risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders.While several observational studies have suggested an association between COVID-19 and future rheumatic disorders, these are often limited by size and follow-up duration. 
Weight Loss Drugs and the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass

A commentary in The Lancet emphasizes the importance of skeleta

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
Weight Loss Drugs and the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass A commentary in The Lancet emphasizes the importance of skeletal muscle mass in medically induced weight loss, especially with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. While these drugs are effective for obesity treatment, there… https://t.co/8AOgDUajw6 https://t.co/0vntwZSpLy
The National Academy of Medicine and New England Journal of Medicine have published a comprehensive definition of "long COVID".While COVID-19 has infected over 7 million worldwide, it is estimated that 7% of adults (and >1% of children) or 15 to 20 million Americans have developed long COVID, a chronic condition with systemic and often disabling symptoms. 
Survey of UK Rheumatology pts (n 876 found 55% take daily supplements costing £10 to £200 per month (most common: vit

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
Survey of UK Rheumatology pts (n 876 found 55% take daily supplements costing £10 to £200 per month (most common: vit D, C, B complex, MVI Omega 3/6). 82% take Prescription, OTC, or non-prescription pain meds, 13% sleep aids. Half of NSAID pts also take OTC supplements… https://t.co/VpMG9SiE1E https://t.co/SJYUfogeVJ
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive liver disease caused by immune system dysregulation that targets the liver. If untreated, AIH can lead to severe complications, including cirrhosis and liver failure. An overview of AIH and treatment approaches was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology.
Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) study of 133,187 #RA pts found that 48% were "frail". Hospital readmissions were

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) study of 133,187 #RA pts found that 48% were "frail". Hospital readmissions were significantly higher in the RA frail pts (57% vs 31%), & hospitalized, frail patients also had significantly higher mortality (3.36% vs 0.39%) & longer LOS… https://t.co/6lF4wrC87B https://t.co/mWJGIPbEjc
A Keto Diet for Autoimmune Disorders?

Scientists have long suspected the keto diet might be able to calm an overactive

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
A Keto Diet for Autoimmune Disorders? Scientists have long suspected the keto diet might be able to calm an overactive immune system and help some people with diseases like multiple sclerosis. https://t.co/7mX6Ue4FdX https://t.co/qtOwdKfqu4
ACIP now recommendsa pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for all PCV-naive adults >50 yrs. Single dose of PCV (PCV1

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
ACIP now recommendsa pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for all PCV-naive adults >50 yrs. Single dose of PCV (PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21) in adults >50 yrs. Pt 19-64 yrs w/ underlying conditions (prev. recommended) could recv the newly approved PCV21. https://t.co/es4KUuiYqy https://t.co/rVcIgZOLjx
In an RCT of colchicine vs PBO in #gout for 6 months shows that colchicine prophylaxis when initiating ULT did not incre

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
In an RCT of colchicine vs PBO in #gout for 6 months shows that colchicine prophylaxis when initiating ULT did not increase the odds of achieving gout remission. https://t.co/kgNzw0UUIq https://t.co/ZdBT0Fp9Gx
Cross-sectional study of 176 CASPAR+ PsA patients correlated Dz activity (cDAPSA) w/ SAA, IL-8, IP10 (IFNg/CXCL10), M-C

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
Cross-sectional study of 176 CASPAR+ PsA patients correlated Dz activity (cDAPSA) w/ SAA, IL-8, IP10 (IFNg/CXCL10), M-CSF, SCGF-β, SDF-1α) (AUC 0.802- 0.835). The panel was significantly better than CRP (AUC = 0.727, p = 0.022). https://t.co/AZq81S6NH0 https://t.co/5eI241gLVj
A EULAR taskforce has evaluated the effect of lifestyle behaviors in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and concluded that there is moderate evidence for a small benefit for certain dietary components, but overall, high-level evidence regarding dietary exposures on outcomes in RMDs is lacking.
A recent commentary published in The Lancet journal highlights the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Metanalysis of 26 RCTs suggests JAK inhibitors have a low, but signif. increased risk of infections (vs placebo) (RR 1.3

Dr. John Cush RheumNow

1 year 9 months ago
Metanalysis of 26 RCTs suggests JAK inhibitors have a low, but signif. increased risk of infections (vs placebo) (RR 1.39; 1.096-1.76). No risk of tuberculosis or hepatitis, but an incr. risk of H. zoster was seen (RR 1.71; 0.84-3.51) https://t.co/kXOcldz46l https://t.co/Y5OWk4W1NZ
How would you manage a patient with Overlap (anti-synthetase) syndrome, ILD, polyarthritis and myositis?
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