EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com
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KORAIL (Korean RA-ILD) prospective cohort study of CT and biomarkers showed 35% ILD progressed over 3 yrs. Higher baseline KL-6 (HR 1.37) & hSP-D (1.51) levels assoc w/ progression. Increasing KL-6 at 1 yr showed the greatest progression (∆KL-6: HR 2.0) https://t.co/efowyCp1qu https://t.co/JVd7sRKzVF
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Korean insurance claims study (2008–2021) 183,212 psoriasis & PsA pts, found Biologic Rx assoc w/ lower risk of new-onset & recurrent MACEs vs phototherapy (adj HR, 0.45 & 0.34). Nonbiologic systemic Rx lowered MACE risk (v photoRx) only in pts w/ prior Hx MACE (0.79) https://t.co/08wNm1AbpC
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Danish registry study of 1431 AAV pts ((median age: 69 yrs, 52M; F/U 4.8 yrs) shows AAV had more LVH (17% vs 12%), ST-T (10% vs 7%), aFib (9.6% vs 7.5%), QTc prolong (6% vs 3.6%). Only AAV w/ major ECG abnls had incr risk of CV mortality [HR 1.99; 1.49-2.65) https://t.co/OB8b9pC6kw
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JAK-pot Collaboration of 15 registries looked at MACE risk in RA pts and found NO incr CV risk during 1st 2 yrs of JAKi (vs TNFi) use. 51233 pts; 828 incident MACE; in 73008 Rx courses (16K JAKi, 35K TNFi, & 21K OMA bDMARDs). JAK adj IRR: 0.89;0.63 to 1.25 (vs TNFi); bDMARD-OMA https://t.co/MAZrGfCNrU
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Matched cohort study of 83,811 #RA pts showed RA had a 12% increased risk of avoidable hospitalizations (CHF, pulmonary edema; (IRR 1.12). Predictors of ACSC hosp. were age, Steroids, ambulatory comorbid Dxs. ambulatory care access & ^ primary care may reduce this risk. https://t.co/AxQVoXoxxx
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An Epidural Letdown (4.4.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Cardiac-MSK Patients at Highest Risk for Falls and Death
A study by Peking University and Chinese PLA General Hospital found that multimorbidity, having multiple chronic diseases, is linked to worsening falls and higher mortality in middle-aged and older adults in China. https://t.co/R47w77zSwP
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Korea National Health Insurance Database review shows that risk of mortality in Behcets patients is 28% higher than gen. population; highest in 1st 12 mos (OR 2.66). Major causes were CA, CVD, GI (viscus rupture), respiratory, & infections. Higher in younger pts. https://t.co/vWJrUN9C0H
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Cancer Survival with TNF Inhibitors (3.28.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Cardiac-MSK Patients at Highest Risk for Falls and Death
EurekAlert!
A new study by researchers at Peking University and the Chinese PLA General Hospital has found that multimorbidity—living with multiple chronic diseases—is closely associated with worsening fall conditions and mortality among middle-aged and older adults in China. The findings,
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Predicting Premature Death with Multimorbidity
Machine learning (ML) models were used to predict premature death in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of 2 or more chronic conditions.
Veterans Admin (VA) EHR study of #RA-associated ILD (n 1047), matched 237 RA-ILD pts who Rx w/ TNFi vs 237 Rx w/ non-TNF biologics (mean age 68y; 92% male). Death & Resp hospitalisation were similar (adj HR 1·21, 1·27), as was mortality (1·15), Resp mortality (1·38) https://t.co/03LV5B4FSV
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Targeting Obesity in Rheumatic Disease Patients
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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Increased Mortality In Arthritis Patients with COPD
A new study published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, finds that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease… https://t.co/6WCtfcrSaq https://t.co/ydVtBxqy37
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Retrospective review of 781#RA pts; 78 Dx w/ILD (77 subclinical, most UIP on HRCT). w/ mean 10 yrs F/U, death rate was 1.5 vs. 7.1 per 100PY (without v with ILD) SMR equal betw RA & gen pop. but 2x higher in RA w/ ILD. Mortality higher w/ ILD (HR~3), age and low BMI… https://t.co/Vj0acewmK8 https://t.co/N1wHTjMfTr
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Still's Dz Afro-Caribbean study of 58 pts (57% AOSD). Sex differed betw kids F 36% vs F71% in adults. Kids had signif more typical skin rashes (100 vs 29%), coronary artery dilation (16 vs 0%), & MAS (52 vs 9%). Adults signif more polyarthalgia (91 vs 32%) & lung dz (51 vs 4%).… https://t.co/AYKNazgio5 https://t.co/1yQgeMiwku
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2024 Rheumatology Year in Review
2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians. While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list
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Cardiovascular and Fracture Risk with Denosumab Versus Bisphosphonates in Dialysis Patients
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
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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MMWR: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Mortality in the United States
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and worsening lung function, has a poor prognosis. An estimated 21% of IPF deaths might be attributable to occupational… https://t.co/FQpotKrgzR https://t.co/hruzwcD1E6
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A Review of Relapsing Polychondritis
A current review in the Journal of Thoracic Disease on relapsing polychondritis (RP), suggests that while this rare disorder may have an uncertain pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutical management has improved.… https://t.co/keacvqjlU7 https://t.co/TkYwNnYtxF
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Hydroxychloro-King (3.7.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory actions from the past week on RheumNow.com
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MMWR: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Mortality in the United States
MMWR
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and worsening lung function, has a poor prognosis. An estimated 21% of IPF deaths might be attributable to occupational exposures.
FDA grants priority reviews to:
- Nicalizumab (J&J; FcRn antibody) for use in Myasthenia gravis.
- Upadacitinib (AbbVie; JAK inhib) for use in GCA
- Namistat (BI: PDE4B inhib) for use in Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Inalizumab (Hansen; anti-CD19) for use in IG4 rel Dz
-… https://t.co/dsg9vZASrk https://t.co/8t2USASmm8
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Recent Blogs
How would you manage a patient with Overlap (anti-synthetase) syndrome, ILD, polyarthritis and myositis?
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