Fibromyalgia/Pain

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 )
Itch is common in Scleroderma (SSc) and not related to Dz duration. Study of 2173 Pts (~20K itch assessments), 87 F; mean age 55 yrs; 40% w/ diffuse SSc. Itch (moderate 4/10) seen in ~35% at all times https://t.co/QnT8d0xA5Z https://t.co/yEgB6ImDTi

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
pills-14550__180_0.jpg

Opioids Down, Gabapentins Up

Jack Cush, MD

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.

In 2023, 4.2 million people had an active long-term opioid therapy episode, defined as a period of opioid

Read Article
From 2015 to 2023, long-term opioid therapy declined in the USA. Approximately 4 million to 5 million patients were prescribed long-term opioid therapy in 2023. Long term opioid use remains a challenge https://t.co/N5s7mYvXSw https://t.co/YHdTbHLB4q

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rotator.Cuff.shoulder-pain

COMMON - Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on MRI

Jack Cush, MD

In this cross-sectional study of 602 Finnish adults undergoing bilateral shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessment, found abnormalities in nearly everyone over age 40yrs, regardless if asymptomatic or symptomatic.

Read Article
Phase 1b trial shows transdermal Curcumin Gel (VAS-101) in was effective in Knee Osteoarthritis. Enrolled 60 KOA pts 45–75 yrs Rx w/ PBO or gel qd x 28d w/ signif improvement in pain & KOOS scores https://t.co/yNiNocZxa4 https://t.co/3W7j1bIvBc

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
There is very little evidence that kinesio taping has any true benefits in patients with musculoskeletal disorders https://t.co/3HIJOljacA https://t.co/Xz1YvQtHGs

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
What's it like to have RA? MARY: "I can manage the pain, the exhaustion, and side effects of the meds. The hard part is grief. I grieve for me, the adventurer that decided what she wanted and boldly went after it, no matter what. I trusted myself to handle whatever came. Now https://t.co/GakWIy2XCt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TENS Efficacy in Fibromyalgia A randomized clinical trial of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in fibromyalgia showed meaningful improvement in pain for 6 months when combined with physical therapy (PT). https://t.co/Gm81FWoTQN https://t.co/2gq2cDFUh7

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
What's it like to have RA? LISA: "It only took me three short years to go from rock climbing to a power wheel chair and that stage of the disease was frightening and painful and you feel hopeless and as if your life plan is being stolen from you. Once I was able to start https://t.co/d49htc8k4m
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
What's it like to have #RA? PATTY "To find patients or doctors who can talk intelligently about RA is a welcomed relief. However, I prefer that those around me not know about me and my RA. I hope they don’t notice the changes in my hands or shoes or that I cannot wear my usual https://t.co/OQbXJrcyPp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Moral Distress (3.27.2026) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal reports and news from RheumNow. This week we discuss moral distress, FM in PsA, Lyme Vax is back & hidden but tangible benefits of the MDHAQ. https://t.co/LdNcsUcHc2 https://t.co/tRYeDhQ3hC

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TENS

TENS Efficacy in Fibromyalgia

Jack Cush, MD

A randomized clinical trial of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in fibromyalgia showed meaningful improvement in pain for 6 months when combined with physical therapy (PT). 

Read Article
Rush University MDHAQ surveys done on 1,337 pts (excluding primary FM), identified 30% w/ anxiety, 24% depression, 25% fibromyalgia, & 44% w any 3 of these. In this 44%, HIGHER pain (7 vs 4) and RAPID3 (17 vs 8.2) vs those without FM, anxiety, or depression (p< 0.001). https://t.co/xbOKeZj5cm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RheumNow Podcast square

Moral Distress (3.27.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal reports and news from RheumNow.com.  This week we discuss moral distress, FM in PsA, Lyme Vax is back & hidden but tangible benefits of the MDHAQ.

Read Article
Prevalence of fibromyalgia in PsA = 18%. FM-PsA pts have higher scores Dz activity scores from FM, rather than inflammation. Fibromyalgia is assoc w/ worse disease outcomes, including failure to achieve low disease activity state and poorer response to therapy. https://t.co/utQRXPmpDs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rush University MDHAQ surveys done on 1,337 pts (excluding primary FM), identified 30% w/ anxiety, 24% depression, 25% fibromyalgia, & 44% w any 3 of these. In this 44%, HIGHER pain (7 vs 4) and RAPID3 (17 vs 8.2) vs those without FM, anxiety, or depression (p< 0.001). https://t.co/GzZ0LZKPPR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Is BMI a risk factor for Palindromic rheumatism (PR)? Study of 147 PR patients and 294 matched HCs. No significant difference was observed in mean BMI between PR patients and HCs and overweight or obesity was not associated with an increased risk of PR. https://t.co/W7XehFVCTR https://t.co/YRPOeqR04j

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Annual fibromyalgia survey (FIRST) in axSpA pts in the DESIR cohort. FM was found in 22% (& assoc w/ less HLA-B27+ & XRay sacroiliitis, equal MRI SI a& ^ CRP. FM/AxSpA had less self-reported Dz activity, QOL, more disability & more likely to Rx w/ TNFi (64% vs 41%), but resp https://t.co/9rkZFUSB2M
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RheumNow Podcast square

Poets Know It (3.13.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, regulatory decisions and new journal articles.

Read Article
Prebiotic fibre improves knee OA. Study of 117 older adults w/ KOA Rx w/ 6wks of inulin (fibre) or Physiotherapy exercise (PSE) or both vs PBO. Both Inulin & PSE signif improved pain & PSE vs PBO ( −1.11 to -2.5; p <0.045); inulin also improved pain sensitivity & grip strength https://t.co/Efic4mru1i
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cross-sectional study of Joint hypermobility (JH) in 256 young adults (75% female) found JH in 42%, females w/ signif. higher Beighton scores. 88% had chronic MSK pain; 38% had acute MSK pain. MSK pain was signif higher in students with mild JH (BS 4–6/9 pts; P < 0.009) https://t.co/QZwJ9zHfEj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Shoe.blue

Supportive vs Flexible Footwear in Hip Osteoarthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Do shoes make a difference in osteoarthritis (OA)? Common advice often suggests that stable supportive shoes can improve arthritis symptoms in the knee, but does this apply to hip osteoarthritis?

Read Article
GLP-1s are known to improved knee OA. Using a mouse OA model w/ obesity, semaglutide yielded less pain, osteophytes & had strong chondroprotective effects, fia a wt loss-independent way. Changing from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation resulted in cartilage restoration. https://t.co/YySGDHX9KO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Population survey of 21 000 US adults, 62.3% reported recent use of any OTC or prescription meds. Past-7-day prevalence of any OTC medication was equal to RX med use (46%) and increased use with age among both male and female individuals. https://t.co/xeWBQ0DnlB https://t.co/c8lqXOmAaT

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Recent Blogs

Advanced Practice Rheum

Evaluation of Rheumatic Complaints

Jack Cush, MD
Eval of Rheum Complaints Cover Image
Dr. Cush provides a systematic approach to evaluating musculoskeletal and rheumatic complaints in clinical practice.
Read Article

From DNA to PGA

David Pisetsky, MD, PhD
dna
I have been investigating the mechanisms of antinuclear antibody (ANA) expression in SLE since 1978. In this pursuit, I have followed the advice of my first division chief, Dr. Ralph Snyderman, a great academician.  Ralph told me to identify a research focus and make it mine. I think I have done reasonably well in my mission so you can imagine my surprise (and excitement) when, for the Lupus 2025 meeting in Toronto, I was asked to conduct a Meet the Professor session on the Type 1 & 2 model for SLE.
Read Post

From the Archives: Rheumatology Dead Word Cemetery

Jack Cush, MD
CTD.jpg
I recently heard of a secondary school assignment wherein students were challenged to “bury” a word that was no longer useful or appropriate. Their exercise has now evolved into an unofficial RheumNow task force to retire diagnostic terms that have grown into misuse in rheumatology and medicine. How did we decide which words should perish? And by what criteria? Who has the final say?
Read Post
How well do you know this week's rheumatology news?
Take the rheumIQ quiz
Take the RheumIQ Quiz

Podcasts

  • ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day3c
  • ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day3a
  • ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day2c
×