Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Preventing COVID - Masks, Meters and Eyewear
A Lancet systematic review and meta-analysis provides the basis for physical distancing and the value of making as measures to prevent infection with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19. The analysis included 172 observational studies, no randomised controlled trials and 44 relevant comparative studies involving 25 697 patients.
Read Article
Hydroxychloroquine Postexposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 Fails
NEJM has reported that the use of hydroxychloroquine did not prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection when used within 4 days after SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Currently for persons who are COVID exposed, the standard of care is quarantine and there is no known preventative therapy.
Read Article
TNR Grand Rounds - Update on Biosimilars
This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Jonathan Kay (U Mass) who gave an update on Biosimilars and took questions the subject. The program was moderated by Dr. Jack Cush.
Read Article
Faith
For Jessica, an ICU nurse, 12-hour shifts were usually fast paced, challenging and productive. But the cadence and demands of work abruptly changed mid-March when COVID-19 came. Amongst her many ICU admissions she took care of Larry, who was instantly interesting and forever memorable. He had contracted the coronavirus less than a week before. He was a 60-ish yr. old man who tried to be humorous, but who was clearly distressed and worried. He was febrile, anxious, breathing hard and on the verge of being unstable.
Read Article
U.S. Air Force - Basic Measures in Basic Training to Avoid COVID-19
In the current issue of MMWR, the CDC reports that among military personnel starting basic training, the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) may significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. NPIs advocated include screening measures, testing, administrative measures, quarantine, isolation, and source control, all as efforts to limit transmission COVID-19 in the community.
Read Article
FDA Approves Taltz for Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Today Eli Lilly announced that Taltz (ixekizumab) has received FDA approval for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).
Read Article
First Look at COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry
Gianfresco et al have published the first peer-reviewed analysis of COVID-19 infected, rheumatic disease patients entered into the Rheumatology Global Alliance registry; showing that a) rheumatic disease patient can be infected with COVID-19, b) that DMARD and biologic use has no apparent effect on outcomes and c) steroid increase and TNF inhibitor decrease the odds of hospitalization.
Read Article
RheumNow Podcast - Rheumatic Patients with COVID (5.29.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read Article
TNR Grand Rounds - Cytokine Storm Syndromes
This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Randy Cron from the University of Alabama - Birmingham as he spoke and took questions on the immunology, immunopathogenesis and treatment of Cytokine Storm Syndrome, especially as they relate to COVID-19 and rheumatic disease patients. The program was moderated by Dr. Jack Cush.
Read Article
Boston and Wuhan Report Rheum COVID Patients at Risk for Respiratory Failure
Two current reports from Boston and Wuhan describe cohorts of COVID-19 (+) rheumatic disease patients who generally do well but appear to have a higher risk of pulmonary involvement.
Read Article
