COVID Outcomes in Dermatomyositis
A retrospective study of dermatomyositis (DM) patients with COVID-19, shows that DM patients without comorbidities fair well (with regard to mortality and hospitalisation).
Does Fibromyalgia Need B12? (9.9.2022)
Can we predict the bad outcomes? Like when ITP evolves into SLE; or when psoriasis will develop arthritis; or if Sjogren's will develop lymphoma? Let's dive in and review these journal reports and this past week's news from RheumNow.com.
Goofy But True
Dr. Jack Cush discusses declining survival rates in the USA, FDA approvals of new COVID subvariant boosters and other odd and possibly true new research reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
FDA Approves BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron COVID Booster Vaccines
Today the FDA authorized the updated Omicron subvariant (BA.4 and BA.5) COVID-19 booster shots manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna; with an anticipated ship/start date of early September 2022. The BA.5 subvariant accounts for more than 88% of U.S. infections.
Influenza Vaccination Recommendations
CDC
The CDC has published an update to the recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on the use of seasonal influenza vaccines in the United States for the 2022-23 season.
Hit Parade Review (8.12.2022)
We've got a lot to discuss this week: psoriasis; fatigue; sleep; sural nerve biopsies; uveitis and SpA; diet and RA; tofacitinib and the ORAL surveillance study; what not to take with mycophenolate - and more. In what order should these items be discussed?
The Great Unknowns (8.5.2022)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, FDA approvals, journal articles from the past week on RheumNow; plus viewer questions. This week great hopes for vitamin D, the great unknows of CSA and the great big mess that is the gout.
ACR Updated Guideline on Vaccinations for Rheumatic Patients
The ACR has posted a new ACR Clinical Practice Guideline Summary providing recommendations on the use of vaccinations for children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
ICYMI: 2021 Rheumatology Year in Review
Editor's note: This podcast originally appeared January 8, 2022.
“One faces the future with one’s past” – Pearl S. Buck
2021 was the year we waited for the other shoe to drop; with the pandemic stone in your shoe, you waited for:
What Worries You, Masters You (7.1.2022)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews recent news, regulatory and guideline updates from the past week on RheumNow.com. Studies on methotrexate use, COVID vaccination, Supplements and vitamins, and arthrocentesis despite anticoagulation are discussed.
Two Week Methotrexate Hold with COVID-19 Vaccination
A cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients evaluated immunogenicity of COVID vaccination with and without holding methotrexate (MTX) for and 2-weeks and showed better immunogenicity, but more RA flares with the second MTX withdrawal.
COVID-19 Death is Dependent on Age and Type I IFN Autoantibodies
A study in PNAS of has shown that autoantibodies against type I interferons (IFNs) are strong predictors of death from COVID-19.
Social
An RCT of 1136 newly COVID test positive pts compared long term outcomes if immediately given METFORMIN or Placebo. Cumulative incidence of long COVID at day 300 was 6.3% w/ metformin vs 10.4% w/ placebo (HR 0.59; HR 037 if given w/in 3d) https://t.co/aCTX7xFewW https://t.co/xbBeED9K7U
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 1 month ago
Factors associated with higher prevalence of post COVID-19 condition include female sex, age, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, number of symptoms in the acute phase and possible mechanisms causing the syndrome, Mayssam Nehme, COVID-19, #EULAR2023 https://t.co/IzHEQqfPb1
Dr. Antoni Chan @synovialjoints ( View Tweet )
1 year 1 month ago
Reflections on COVID-19 and autoimmunity: post-vaccination autoimmunity is not specific to COVID-19, autoimmunity is not autoimmune disease, the large numbers may result in the perception of increased occurrence of autoimmunity, Schulze-Koops H, COVID-19, #EULAR2023 @RheumNow https://t.co/Rm9OEWrBzo
Dr. Antoni Chan @synovialjoints ( View Tweet )
1 year 1 month ago
Factors related to having a flare of arthritis during COVID-19 include female gender, higher disease activity, no DMARD at time of vaccination. Stopping DMARDs need to be weighed up against risk of flares, Pedro Machado, COVID-19 #EULAR2023 @RheumNow https://t.co/3sd32tF2kW
Dr. Antoni Chan @synovialjoints ( View Tweet )
1 year 1 month ago
Lit review of 2236 articles found only 28 w/ Post-COVID autoimmune Dx (64% F; age 51 yrs) - that included 11 (39) IIM (w/ 4 DM); 7 (25%) SLE; 4 (14%) anti-synthetase syndrome; 4 (14%) SSc; 1 lupus/MCTD overlap. Mean onset 23.7 d post COVID https://t.co/jtRaqIBGH1 https://t.co/WilcRFNAL9
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 2 months ago
in 2022 COVID slid from the #3 to the #4 cause of death in USA, accounting for nearly a quarter million deaths, a 47 percent decrease from the 462,193 Covid-related deaths in 2021. Most COVID deaths occured in the first few mos of 2022 https://t.co/qervCp0P87 https://t.co/WN7DvsFhNC
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 2 months ago
COVID had a significant effect on mental health of inflammatory rheumatic Dz (IRDs) pts. UK NHS survey of 639 IRD (70% RA, 16% PsA) saw 40% w/ mod/severe pandemic impact on physical & mental health; 29% w/ depression, 22% anxiety; affecting Women>males https://t.co/kcAwa2Lks2 https://t.co/R6tk2aOrGQ
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 3 months ago
Industry Payments to Rheums Dropped During COVID
Having their clinics shut down and patients staying away during the COVID-19 pandemic was bad enough for physicians' finances, but now a new study finds that payments from industry dried up as well.
https://t.co/jsxw23tTyY https://t.co/5PiaRpiSa4
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 3 months ago
Anakinra Phase 2/3 study in severe hosp. COVID-19 pts (5/20-3/21) w/ pneumonia & hyperinflammation (incr levels IL-6, ferritin, CRP, LDH). 179 pt Rx w/ ANA or SOC - d15 need for Mech ventilation was 77% ANAK v 86% SoC (NS; RR 0.90; 0.77-1.04) https://t.co/CFcI1qTsU2 https://t.co/wAj4pHN5Dh
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 3 months ago
Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir) should be used w/in 5d of COVID Sxs onset. Drug interactions include: steroids, anticoagulants (Eliquis, Xarelto, warfarin), Flomax, Calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines. https://t.co/VZpS1z3OGR https://t.co/hR6JAJ3BBO
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 3 months ago
