Opioid Deaths are Down (2.28.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Opioid deaths are down, IL-33 levels are up and Weight loss is in the news again this week!

  1. CDC reports an unprecedented drop of ~24% in US drug overdose deaths (87,000 down from 114,000) in 12 mos prior to 9/24. Yet, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44 yrs https://t.co/REiaQx6NKd
  2. Cochrane review of TNF inhib. in #JIA shows TNFi efficacy, but uncertainty about LT safety, pain, function, & Dz control - esp compared to MTX. 9 studies, 678 JIApts, age 8-15 yrs (80% F), Dz duration 0.8-6.7 yrs. Withdrawls 1% v 3%; Serious AE 6% v 7% (PBO vs TNFi).… https://t.co/twmYfFg702
  3. Peking Univ long term F/U of Knee replacement (TKA) in 226 patients (246 knees) shows prosthesis survival rates of 93.6%, 92.4%, 89.8%, and 71.8% at 10, 15, 20, and 25 years post-TKA, respectively. 20yr function somewhat less than 10yr, but still much better than preop… https://t.co/gJbedIEr91
  4. Do infections lead to Kawasaki Dz (KD)? Swedish registry study of 1774 KD vs 17 731 controls. +Hx of Infx incr risk of KD (OR 2.3; 2.0 to 2.5) - mostly Resp, skin, GU & GI Infx. Infxns usually clustered before KD Dx (OR 5.1 15–28d; OR 1.3 6-12 mos prior KD. More infx = more KD… https://t.co/V9zbcmJdKv
  5. Medicare study of 2.3 million shows high Telemedicine use was assoc w/ slight increase in visits (F2F & telemed), modestly lower use of 7 of 20 low-value screen tests for cervical CA, ECG, CMP, CBC, TFTs, & imaging for uncomplicated LBP (with less costs too)… https://t.co/lrG9NJ20B7
  6. ACPA+ linked to nodule progression. 208 #RA pts w/ Chest CT studied. Lung nodules seen in 1/3; 10% before RA Dx (10.4 mos before). Positive ACPA (not RF) was assoc w/ nodule progression (OR 3.69). csDMARDs & b/ts-DMARDs NO affect on nodule progression. https://t.co/GO1wLRIl9j
  7. Study of 558 #RA pts finds GERD symptoms were significantly w/ higher TJC28 and VAS scores and lower use of MTX (but not related to NSAID or steroid use). GERD Sxs may impact MTX dosing and Dz activity measures in RA https://t.co/2H8RUNywlG
  8. Retrospect. study of 77 RA pts w/ +ANCA (age 62 yrs, 79%F. 65% RF+. 45% p-ANCA+; 42% MPO+. Diagnoses included: AAV (29%); GPA (45%), MPA (36 %); EGPA (5%). Renal (41%) & upper Resp (36%) were most freq. Pts w/ RA+AAV had more RF, MPO+, nodules, inflam eye Dz https://buff.ly/4bm8ACI
  9. Increased IL-33 linked to SLE. Study of 120 #SLE vs 60 controls. IL-33 levels signif higher in SLE (258.7 vs 78.3, p < 0.001) & correlated w/ SLEDAI (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) & organ damage (r = 0.45, p < 0.01) & renal dz (p < 0.01). https://t.co/8dbH6u2s1r
  10. Misdiagnosis of Dermatomyositis 
  11. TNF Inhibitor Drug-Induced Lupus  
  12. Postoperative Weight Loss Improves Joint Replacement Survival  

ADD THE FIRST COMMENT

If you are a health practitioner, you may to comment.

Due to the nature of these comment forums, only health practitioners are allowed to comment at this time.

Disclosures
The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject
×