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Economics

Don’t Buy Guitars (12.6.2024)

This year at ACR24, the RheumNow faculty and reporters were prolific, generating >800 Tweets, 56 written articles, 117 Videos and 28 podcasts – all in 4 days! You can best review and learn ACR24 by A) Rheumatology Roundup; b) Topic Panel videos; and c) Topic podcasts.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 53.2 million in the USA & is projected to rise significantly by 2040. Societal costs are $132 billion ($11,00 per/pt). OA is the 3rd most rapidly rising disability, behind diabetes and dementia. https://t.co/n3Rwjjsio3 https://t.co/FPDWd6gEpi
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
What factors are assoc with uptake of newer meds in RA? ➡️Incr use of b/tsDMARDs over 10yrs ➡️Use of newer drugs lower in older ppl, socioeconomic deprived & Asian/Black ppl Could this indicate disparities in access to meds? How can we best address this? Ab2608 #ACR24 @RheumNow

Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )

US biosimilar exp Interchangeable biosimilar - can substitute for reference product wo consulting MD Primary endpt: pharmacokinetic data 61 approved biosimilars @RheumKay: “pts should share in financial benefits” Currently 5-87% discount #PBMReform @ACRheumDC @RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/RqwbZalZko
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )
Biosimilar switching in practice Hyrich: UK experience Switching to biosimilar has no immediate benefit to patients but saves NHS money Allows for gain share that can be re-invested in pt care Transparency in switching in explaining to pts and offering resource @RheumNow #ACR24

Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )

A call for ANA stewardship? Abstract 1931: Educating clinicians on wise ANA ordering via EMR Alert plus removing the comprehensive ANA panel --> - ↓ ANA testing (outpatient 15.9%→7.4%, inpatient 25.5%→6.4%) ↓ costs ($440k→$130k) #ACR24 @RheumNow

Akhil Sood MD @AkhilSoodMD( View Tweet )

Biosimilar changes ASP outpacing reimbursement making not affordable to use Working with CMS but needs further legislation to fix this FDA may change interchangeability status for medications to no longer require switching studies @ACRheumDC @RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/daYQJvsHRG
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )
@ACRheumDC State Update: No changes at executive level Some shifts in state legislation With political changes and new administration, states will probably take larger role in healthcare legislation - PBM reform, copay accum, prior auth/step, reprod healthcare @RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/jc77HCLxqQ
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )
@LennMcD @ACRheumDC Many ACR priorities in bills, needs to be passed in law Victories: Incr NIH biomedical research funding, added to DoD funds Medicare reimbursem and telehealth needs addressed by lame duck congress Get involved, reach out, write letters @RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/7oCvUFWpx4
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )
Biosimilar Slow Growth in USA A recent Forbes article, "Biosimilars Are Making Inroads In U.S., But It’s Still A Bumpy Ride", reviews the current state and reasons for slowish uptake of these significant cost-savings alternatives to biologic therapy in treating cancer and… https://t.co/yO3tUVk2jj https://t.co/ft6gqpnWMx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Early RA Journey - Patient Perspectives and Uncertainties

Canadian early RA (ERA) patients were interviewd to depict their perspectives from onset and diagnosis to referral and care. This report highlights the importance of patient pain and primary care physician (PCP) intake and referral. PCP and HCP delays in referral to a specialist still exist.

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Biosimilar Slow Growth in USA

A recent Forbes article, "Biosimilars Are Making Inroads In U.S., But It’s Still A Bumpy Ride", reviews the current state and reasons for slowish uptake of these significant cost-savings alternatives to biologic therapy in treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. The following are takeaway

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Dr. Quotes (11.8.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week from RheumNow.com.

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EULAR Review of Lifestyle Improvements for Rheumatic Patients

A EULAR taskforce has evaluated the effect of lifestyle behaviors in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and concluded that there is moderate evidence for a small benefit for certain dietary components, but overall, high-level evidence regarding dietary exposures on outcomes in RMDs is

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Should They Put Off Hip Replacement Surgery?

The NEJM reports what should be obvious to rheumatologists: that older adults with severe hip osteoarthritis should opt for total hip replacement (THR) over conservative exercise measures as THR yields a clinically important improvement in pain and function.

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Medscape 2024 Medical Student Experience Survey

Medscape has published a survey overview of US Medical Student impressions and experiences, satisfaction, what they think of their education and how prepared are they for the USMLE (boards) and residency.

The survey was done between march and June 2024 and included 768 US medical

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SGLT2 Inhibitor Protective Effects in Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) outcomes were assessed based on whether they received sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), in the setting of comorbid type 2 diabetes (T2D).

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Swapping is Better than Cycling in Psoriatic Arthritis

A real-world cohort study suggests that psoriatic arthritis failing to respond to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) may do better if they subsequently swap to an IL-17 inhibitor, rather than cycling to another TNFi.

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ANA+ consult (10.18.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.

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Alendronate Atypical Fractures Back In Court

Reuters reports that a U.S. appeals court on Friday revived more than 500 lawsuits alleging that Merck failed to warn that patients taking alendronate for osteoporosis may be at increased the risk of atypical femoral fractures.

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Economic and Mental Health Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis

EurekaAlert!

A University of Mississippi-led comprehensive study of a disorder that affects 4.27 million Americans nationwide is revealing just how significant its burdens are on patients' financial well-being and quality of life. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis pay an average of $3,383 more per year

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ACR and Congress Address “Damaging” Cuts to Medicare MD Payments

ACR

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today commended the 233 bipartisan representatives who signed a letter urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to support legislative action to address “damaging” payment cuts to physicians

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Run-Walk Exercise May Help Lower Back Pain

MedPage Today

Adults younger than age 45 with chronic, nonspecific lower back pain saw significant pain relief with a structured run-walk program in a randomized trial.

At the end of 12 weeks, participants in the program scored their pain level an average 15.3 points lower (95% CI 5.3-25.3), on a 100

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Efficacy of Acupuncture for Sciatica

MedPage Today

Real Chinese acupuncture was more effective than a sham version for treating sciatica stemming from herniated spinal disks in a randomized trial conducted in China.

Patients' leg pain scores decreased by 30.8 points on a 100-point scale after 4 weeks of the genuine procedure, versus a

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Dot the "i", Cross the "t" (10.11.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. Today’s reports suggest where to look for help, especially with regard to pain.

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