Tweets
Opioids Down, Gabapentins Up
The number of U.S. patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy declined from 2015 to 2023, but co-prescribing of opioids with gabapentinoids increased, prescription data showed.
https://t.co/iXEUfR18Is https://t.co/6DCUvGAW6N
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
Top Four and More (4.10.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow this week - including his top four favorite subjects.
https://t.co/TUPky5m1Mo https://t.co/QRgh9SqcOF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
NHIS 10yr survey of 195,600 Americans shows Chronic pain assoc w/ double rates of smoking & vaping. Smoking decr over time, but always higher in chronic pain pts (17.7% 2014, 13.1% in 2023) than w/o pain (12.5% 2014, 7.5% 2023). E-cigs incr over time, more w/ chronic pain https://t.co/iW7IDwHyJa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
Potential new mechanism of MTX Effx - MTX polyglutamates accumulates in monocytes by D5, modulates transcriptional signature “non-classical monocyte”-assoc genes by Wk4, & predicts MTX responses https://t.co/g14GONKgvq https://t.co/oyoua9xAN4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
JAMA Guideline on the Management of Crohn Disease
https://t.co/GV0lICS8Sn https://t.co/aFWH5Tl4Jv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
OL phase 2 study 50 active systemic JIA pts Randomized to IL-1 inhibitor, firsekibart or TCZ q2wk x 24 wks. At day 28, modified ACR Pedi 30response (no fever) favored FIRS 3mg dose (94% vs 75% vs 82%). Also higher ACR Pedi 70/90 responses & steriod tapers. https://t.co/8bdCLUFFLT https://t.co/ddQe7k25UE
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
Global Study of #gout - incidence increased by 158% (from 1990 to 2023), during which mean onset agerose from 58 to 62 years; but % young-onset gout dropped 15.8% to 9.8%. #s due to aging, not younger onset. https://t.co/5pqMwPEnuj https://t.co/414vJHnBYi
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
2023 FDA’s removal of REMS in-person Rx requirement for mifepristone was assoc w/ large increase in mifepristone Rx at pharmacies (most thru mail order where abortion is legal and telehealth Rxing is permitted https://t.co/9NHMmxUpLl https://t.co/jkV5DmIaJt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
Systematic review of plasma exchange (PE) in myositis (IIM) - 35 studies (mostly observational), 473 IIM pts (361 Rx w/ PE). Many reported improvements (publication bias). 7 comparative RCTs show no mortality benefit (severe ILD) (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16–1.06, I2 = 70%) https://t.co/ox0pdUL3Ek
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
Claims data 2,751 #AAV patients - 6.2% developed #PJP infx. w/ predictors: age, max GC dose, rituximab, CTX, & PJP prophylaxis had Good concordance (0.70) @2mos & 0.66@1yrs. W/ monthly risk of 1.0%, prophylaxis yielded 34 potentially preventable PJP cases https://t.co/c2ObDnmfYp https://t.co/0JRd1k0R2R
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 2 weeks ago
“Math has no opinion” - Mellody Hobson
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 3 weeks ago
Couldn’t attend https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR 2026?
You can now watch the entire meeting On Demand.
This high-impact program features leading experts discussing:
• RA outcomes and pathogenesis
• Obesity, inflammation, and rheumatic disease
• Treatment decisions in Psoriatic https://t.co/A3wb3pzbl3
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 3 weeks ago
Updated CRA/SPARCC Recommendations for Axial Spondyloarthritis
The original CRA/SPARCC recommendations endorsed IL-17i and TNFi as equivalent second-line options for adults with active axSpA who fail an adequate NSAID trial. JAK inhibitors were reserved for patients with prior https://t.co/e1iLSksgYj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 3 weeks ago
Danish real-world study anifrolumab use in 36 #SLE pts. SLEDAI-2K decreased from 8 (baseline) to 2 @ mos 3; @6 mos 52% had SLEDAI-2K=0. 87% had PGA ≤0.5 w/ LLDAS, & 70% DORIS remission. Pred use declined by >50%. Herpes infx were most freq AE https://t.co/gNIAoXplMt https://t.co/D6xhQrY8ep
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 3 weeks ago
UK Our Future Health study of 1,563,155 finds affective Dz (depression, bipolar, anxiety) signific higher (p<0.001)in autoimmune pts vs gen. pop. (29% vs 18%) - dx by PHQ-9, GAD-7. (OR 1.86), even after adjustments income and pain, etc. https://t.co/HoKBeAZxbS https://t.co/NtJhaf7WCo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
4 months 3 weeks ago


