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Mental Health

Ides of March (3.15.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush has advice for Caesar and the superstitious, and covers pregnancy, platelets, dialysis and vaccinations in Lupus.





  1. Dutch study of 586 RA pts on bDMARDs found more nonserious infections (NSIE) (77/100PYs) than serious infx (SIE)(1.3/100Pys). Upper respiratory

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Again, a High Mortality with Depression and RA

Last week we reported on a Korean study showing a 66% elevated mortality risk in RA patients (n=38,487) with depression. This week, a new report shows depression in RA increases the mortality risk by more

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Depression and RA (3.8.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from the past week.

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Increased Depression on Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Korean nationwide cohort study found that both seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a significantly higher risk of depression. 



Depression is one of the most common comorbidities in rheumatic disease patients and it imparts a significant

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Methotrexate Nodulosis (1.19.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. How good (or not) are rheumatologists and what to do about MTX nodulosis?





  1. Network meta-analyses of 153 trials & 8713 patients w/ chronic pain from TMJ disorders; Most effective (

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New Year's Resolutions (1.5.2024)

Dr. Jack Cush imparts his new New Year's Resolutions for 2024 and also reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

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Best of 2023: Treatment and Management of Neuropsychiatric Lupus

At the 2023 ACR State of the Art conference in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Michelle Petri reviewed the treatment and management of neuropsychiatric lupus. Dr. Petri, a lupus expert from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology, reviewed the latest clinical and animal model studies that offer hope in treatment and

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CDC: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2021-2022

The current CDC report estimates that 1.3% of adults had myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), based on the most recent population based National Health Interview Survey (NHIS 2021–2022).

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CBT or Naltrexone in Fibromyalgia (12.8.2023)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Be sure to catch the early registration break for 2024 RheumNow Live.





  1. Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is difficult to treat; w/ few reports of JAKi

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Methotrexate in OA (10.20.2023)

Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news, journal articles and regulatory actions. This week we discuss JAKne, DLE and SLE and more.

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Multinational study of 47 studies of 11,085 #RA pts showed the prevalence of ANXIETY to range from 2.4% to 77%. Variance due to inconsistent, non-standardized self-report measures and clinical thresholds. Common; but how common? https://t.co/elcxjfSI7N https://t.co/iRNeQy4pEk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Residual Disease in Controlled Axial Spondyloarthritis

Despite being in a state of remission or low disease activity state, in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, up to 42% may still have residual disease.

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English for the Biologically-Challenged (8.4.2023)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.  This week highlights Veterans, Vegetarians and Antenatal Corticosteroids.

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RABBIT Registry Study 2470 pts (1,245 axSpA; 1,225 PsA) - moderate depressive Sxs in 8% & 21% w/ severe Sxs. Depressive Sxs were assoc w/ fatigue, not engaging in sports, & greater functional limitation - may affect perception of disease activity https://t.co/XTyzLF98BC https://t.co/8TLfRBK4lX
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Unrecognized Mental Health Problems in Autoimmune Diseases More than half of patients with auto-immune conditions experience mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, yet most are rarely asked in clinic about mental health symptoms. https://t.co/wxuGmuPh7D https://t.co/jMZkH1SIcS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

MMWR: Arthritis Among Children and Adolescents

The CDC estimates that nearly 220,000 children and adolescents had arthritis during 2017–2021. Prevalence (305 per 100,000) increased with age and is higher in 12–17 year olds; non-Hispanic Black or African Americans; those with anxiety or depression; physically inactive; overweight or a

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988 -- the new 3 digit Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (available since July 2022). You don't need to be in crisis or suicidal to call 988 and speak with a counselor. It is a free service available at all hours, day or night, for anyone who needs support. https://t.co/RfTfmHbvxJ https://t.co/JPihu6XOyu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Why Depression Screening Should be Mandatory at Each Visit Depression is more widespread than ever in the US, according to a new study from Gallup, showing that 18% of adults are depressed– an increase in 7 percentage points since 2015. https://t.co/2u82MXIFvb https://t.co/ZpGi4TYdBL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
High Mortality Rates with Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis A Danish cohort study has shown a deadly association between depression and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). https://t.co/R2MB4bs0Hr https://t.co/rWIfHmBqr8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

How Often Do You Monitor MTX? (6.16.2023)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com, including new drug approval, a new SpA variant and new rules for methotrexate (MTX) monitoring and depression screening. 

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Why Depression Screening Should be Mandatory at Each Visit

Depression is more widespread than ever in the United States, according to a new study from Gallup, showing that 18% of adults are depressed (or receiving depression treatment for depression) – an increase in 7 percentage points since 2015. 

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High Mortality Rates with Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Danish cohort study has shown a deadly association between depression and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  



Using data from the national Danish rheumatologic database, DANBIO, they identified incident RA patients (between 2008 to 2018) and five random non-RA comparators. Drug

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RELIEF Trial: Sublingual Cyclobenzaprine in Fibromyalgia

MedPage Today

Fibromyalgia patients hoping to see a more effective and convenient formulation of cyclobenzaprine at their local pharmacies must wait for an ongoing phase III trial -- the product's third -- to finish, as the first two delivered mixed results.

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Treatment and Management of Neuropsychiatric Lupus

On the first day of ACR State of the Art conference in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Michelle Petri reviewed the treatment and management of neuropsychiatric lupus. Dr. Petri, a lupus expert from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology, reviewed the latest clinical and animal model studies that offer hope in

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National Population Insights (4.28.2023)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports and addresses 3 viewer case questions.

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