Opioid Deaths are Down (2.28.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Opioid deaths are down, IL-33 levels are up and Weight loss is in the news again this week!
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I ALWAYS recommend paraffin wax baths for stiffness, RA, OA, PSS, etc.
Here are some instructions for home use https://t.co/CTI4K2kHf9 https://t.co/i0kO99vdYc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Loss of Good Sleep Linked to All-Cause Mortality
A US study shows that nearly two-thirds of the population had suboptimal 5-year sleep duration trajectories with a resultant 29% increase in risk of all-cause mortality.
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RNA-seq analysis of human chondrocytes (HTC) shows Osteoarthritis has more HTC-1 (w/ more cell apoptosis & PD-1 genes) & proliferate fibrochondrocytes (ProFC2) w/ heightened inflammatory response, & increased cytokine signalling https://t.co/FZ72CnWk20 https://t.co/sx4NB2C8h3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd
Active Morphea: - MTX +/- steroids. If not effective, MMF/RTX/ABA - Topicals for circumscribed - Phototherapy Most pts achieve remission in active in 1 year Inactive morphea - Can address with PT, pain rx, psychological support, plastic surgery fat… https://t.co/wEnlo6vtAB https://t.co/4uJYC9HaS1
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd
Active Morphea: - MTX +/- steroids. If not effective, MMF/RTX/ABA - Topicals for circumscribed - Phototherapy Most pts achieve remission in active in 1 year Inactive morphea - Can address with PT, pain rx, psychological support, plastic surgery fat… https://t.co/OMGt8feO0z https://t.co/yWAgY2Z4Ng
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope
#ClinicalPearl Insights into #fibrosing #skin conditions Inflammatory Fibrotic Atrophy We treat the #inflammation but need to determine if lesions are active or not Bx May not discern #dx Heidi Jacobe #RNL2025 https://t.co/dG1k4fm4aO https://t.co/5TowCCDiTt
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cannabis Hospitalizations and Mortality Risk
A Canadian population, retrospective cohort study shows individuals needing hospital-based (emergency department or hospitalization) care for a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were at increased risk of death.
https://t.co/MQtR3etpEH https://t.co/ZB4byi81on
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The ‘dark’ side of
#Hidradenitis #suppurativa
👇
Smell of leaking lesions #HS
⬆️skin folds, buttock, axilla, also thighs, neck
⬆️depression
@RheumNow #RNL2025
‘ If pt doesn’t get in gown then not ready for systemic #Rx!’
Jennifer Clay
#ClinicalPearl https://t.co/tZzz5tielt
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Full read review and overview of Fibromyalgia - manifestations, pathophysiology, treatments and guidelines. Multidisciplinary, patient-centered treatment should includes a combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological options. https://t.co/x4OVeQ5RJz https://t.co/i1fD6XQbnx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA has approved Journavx (suzetrigine) 50 mg tablets, 1st in-class non-opioid analgesic, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Journavx reduces pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals… https://t.co/qjtr4yz8Ot https://t.co/RUZmLgsmTv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
OK this is ‘HOT’
App on phone for a
👇
#thermal #camera
Of hands 🙌
If #hot➡️ flare of #inflammatory #arthritis
And call for a #follow up apt
If not — then not a flare
#AI #artificial #intelligence
#rheumatoid #arthritis
@RheumNow #RNL25
Jeff Curtis AI in #rheum
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
BMC has published a full read literture review of pharmacological pain management in rheumatoid arthritis, pointing out that the best evidence for pain control comes from the use of DMARDs and treat-to-target strategies.… https://t.co/1rcTxpQxxT https://t.co/s20bg5FJqQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Drug Naming Games (2.7.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, regulatory and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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Cannabis Hospitalizations and Mortality Risk
A Canadian population, retrospective cohort study shows individuals needing hospital-based (emergency department or hospitalization) care for a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were at increased risk of death.
Cannabis use disorders (CUD) are associated with
Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
BMC has published a full read literture review of pharmacological pain management in rheumatoid arthritis, pointing out that the best evidence for pain control comes from the use of DMARDs and treat-to-target strategies. In contrast, there is widespread use of analgesics in RA,
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BSR Guideline on Management of Sjögren disease
The British Society for Rheumatology has published its guideline for the management of adult and juvenile onset Sjogren's disease.
This guideline is an update to the 2017 guideline and is based on medical literature review focused on 19 clinical questions. While most of the
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Recent Excess Mortality in Young Adults
JAMA has published a University of Minnesota cross-sectional study showing early adult (ages 25-44) mortality in the U.S. has risen substantially between 2011 to 2019 and 2020 to 2023. The largest portion of 2023 excess mortality was driven by drug poisoning, but many other external and
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Full read review and overview of Fibromyalgia - manifestations, pathophysiology, treatments and guidelines. Multidisciplinary, patient-centered treatment should includes a combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological options. https://t.co/Go5T9pN6wH https://t.co/CIXai9OhZd
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Blood Flow Restriction to Reduce Pain in Knee OA
MedPage Today
A technique now widely used in sports medicine to speed recovery from leg injuries helped reduce symptoms and improve function in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a randomized trial showed.
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FDA has approved Journavx (suzetrigine) 50 mg tablets, 1st in-class non-opioid analgesic, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Journavx reduces pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals… https://t.co/xKy7JY7pPr https://t.co/VYrDMQcjHc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cross-sectional study of 50 SLE patients, 24% had fibromyalgianess, and 18% experienced widespread pain. Fibromyalgianess in SLE patients primarily reflects heightened pain sensitivity and symptom severity rather than SLE disease activity. https://t.co/oLYc4IsIpN https://t.co/eHVIe9OXVF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Orthotics in Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting synovial joints, often in the hands and feet. Due to its progressive inflammatory nature, RA can lead to impairment of function, reduced quality of life, significant joint pain, disability, and… https://t.co/Tqf5YsSFX3 https://t.co/imnPyNXXkq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Young Males and Future Risk of MSK and Chronic Diseases
A large cohort of 18-year-old Swedish males were followed longitudinally for cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal outcomes. They found that high body mass index (BMI) and smoking in youth were linked to the studied diseases later
Orthotics in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Orthotics are cost-effective, externally applied devices designed to stabilize the joints and provide a conservative measure to alleviate joint pain and improve function. Options include therapeutic shoes, shoe inserts, hand splints/braces, wrist support and finger splints. This article reviews
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