OP/Bone

Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) longitudinal study analyzed 1075 #OA knees (1/pt) in 96 mo. MRI study to predict outcomes. Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP volume & signal) predicted future knee replacement & long-term damage. IPFP correlated w/ cartil. volume & BM lesions; Not https://t.co/VrLfiSGWGA
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Full read review of falls and fragility fractures in the elderly. https://t.co/WuQ6oIKTH0 https://t.co/fXnZFxaO28

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Senescent "Zombie" Cells and Low Back Pain In a preclinical study led by McGill University researchers, two drugs targeting “zombie cells” have been shown to treat the underlying cause of chronic low back pain. The condition affects millions of people worldwide. https://t.co/O0qLlSyrKY
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Vitamin D for Prevention of Disease

Jack Cush, MD

JAMA has published a clinical guideline on the use of vitamin D to prevent disease in children and adults. Guideline committee experts, included adult and pediatric endocrinology, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, nutrition, and epidemiology) advise that healthy nonpregnant persons

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Enzyme Porcupine inhibition of Wnt signaling is a promising treatment forsclerosteosis - rare Dz caused by SOST mutations & loss of functional sclerostin. Results in high bone mass & skeletal overgrowth (Sxs of facial paralysis, hearing loss, incr intracranial pressure https://t.co/Bgr5zoHyMG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Enzyme Porcupine inhibition of Wnt signaling is a promising treatment forsclerosteosis - rare Dz caused by SOST mutations & loss of functional sclerostin. Results in high bone mass & skeletal overgrowth (Sxs of facial paralysis, hearing loss, incr intracranial pressure https://t.co/9DYO82quiC
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EMA's EudraVigilance (safety) database study of 10,319 MTX reports (age: 62 yrs, 73% F). Adverse rxns (ADR): 365 kidney & 1,082 liver related. MTX renal ADRs were older, w/ comeds (NSAIDs, Tylenol, metamizole, steroids). More deaths w/ renal ADRs than liver(21% vs 6%); mostly w/ https://t.co/tQ9PSOTtyx
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JAMA Staphylococcus aureus Review - s. aureus bacteremia leads to septic arthritis (7%), vertebral osteomyelitis (≈4%) - bacteremia (≥48 hs) has 39% 90-day mortality risk https://t.co/1UQoz7JDPU https://t.co/xTAkakv2he

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JAMA Staphylococcus aureus Review - s. aureus bacteremia leads to septic arthritis (7%), vertebral osteomyelitis (≈4%) - bacteremia (≥48 hs) has 39% 90-day mortality risk https://t.co/atao3mF32L https://t.co/oMSJVNKvJN

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
yoga, mindfulness

Mindfulness and CBT improve chronic low back pain

EurekAlert!

Behavioral interventions were associated with reduced pain and daily opioid use and improved function and quality of life for up to 12 months among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain, according to a new randomized clinical trial.

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EMA approved a record 28 biosimilars in 2024 for cancer, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, and immune-related diseases like plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease https://t.co/NNzKRalLvF https://t.co/nfX082a7ON

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Consensus on Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Osteoporosis A new consensus paper, published by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), and the https://t.co/lq1odNBLdZ
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Joint Implant Metals May Be Leaking

MedPage Today

Patients with metal-containing joint replacements had significantly higher concentrations of cobalt in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relative to patients without arthroplasties, researchers reported.

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Lab work

Consensus on Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Osteoporosis

EurekAlert!

A new consensus paper, published by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (

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Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Hip Fractures

Jack Cush, MD

JAMA reviews the use of peripheral nerve block with hip fractures as an effective pain management strategy that can be performed by credentialed clinicians outside of the operating room.

Hip fractures are common, especially in older adults (≥65 years), and may include a 1-year mortality

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Targeting Obesity in Rheumatic Disease Patients

Jack Cush, MD

Sattar et al. has published an informative overview of the effect of obesity on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). They estimate that nearly 70% of RMD patients are overweight or obese.

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Increasing Prevalence of Osteoporosis

Jack Cush, MD

Research published in Osteoporosis International studied NHANES data showed increasing trends in osteoporosis in the United States of America. The key findings showed statistically significant results.

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Japanese study of hip replacements (THA) - #RA pts undergoing THA at higher risk for dislocation and reoperation. Retrosp database study of THA - matching 3,951 RA vs 11,853 OA. w/ RA incr risk of dislocation (OR 2.8) & reoperation (OR: 2.25). No diff infx, Fx, VTE, death… https://t.co/Mz8niRlFaa https://t.co/mgcXTnw5Al
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RheumNow Podcast square

World Changers (3.14.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr Jack Cush and his podcast friends are out to change the world. Here is his weekly review of the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.

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Earlier ACL reconstruction and a lower risk of knee osteoarthritis

EurekAlert!

A preclinical study by HSS investigators found that earlier anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction led to lower immune cell activity, less inflammation and fewer joint changes associated with knee osteoarthritis compared to delayed surgery. The research team shared their study

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heart

Cardiovascular and Fracture Risk with Denosumab Versus Bisphosphonates in Dialysis Patients

Jack Cush, MD

Annals of Internal Medicine has published a  Japanese administrative claims database study showing that, compared with oral bisphosphonates (BIS), denosumab (DEN) lowered fracture risk by 45%, but increased the risk for major adverse
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Lungs ILD

Increased Mortality In Arthritis Patients with COPD

EurekAlert!

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis have a higher risk of death than people with arthritis who do not have COPD, according to a new study. The study is published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD

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Sleep disturbance increases disability progression - Prospective cohort data from from 70K Nurses’ Health Study w/ 392 having MS, 7,302 DM, & 25K OA. Having Sleep apnea or disturbances signif incr disability in OA & DM (OR~1.4) as was excessive daytime sleepiness… https://t.co/5PP18gqDqi https://t.co/u1HFOstv8W
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Knee,injection

Intraarticular Steroids in OA Lowers Need for Pain Meds

MedPage Today

Is it possible that intra-articular corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis might affect the use of opioids?

British patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who received intra-articular corticosteroid injections had less usage of

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Schnitzler Syndrome: A Rare Autoinflammatory Disorder A credible, quick overview Chronic Urticaria Monoclonal Gammopathy ( Recurrent Fever Bone & Joint Pain Elevated CRP &ESR https://t.co/sQ22t8Z46m https://t.co/nJOVCghoFa

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Recent Blogs

Unpopular opinion: spinach can be bad for you

Lara El Khoury, MD
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PMR might be one of the most rewarding diagnoses to make in real practice: the patient comes to you in severe debilitating pain, and you prescribe steroids, giving them their lives back! As much as this impressive response makes your intervention appear almost magical, there is the often-forgotten story about the implications of such a diagnosis and treatment on patients' daily lives.  Read Post

ICYMI: Telemedicine Bloopers and Successes

Kathryn H. Dao, M.D.
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At my COVID home command center, I feel pretty prepared for everything. From here, I can run my practice, manage and home-school 3 children and keep the family afloat.  I have 2 computers: one for telemedicine/business meetings and one for e-learning lessons/school updates that teachers and school administrators email me throughout the day for my children.  As a no-nonsense, organized mom and doctor, I felt ready to handle any issues that would arise.  Read Post
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