Articles By Jack Cush, MD
The Cost of Not Taking Medicine
The NY Times points out "there is is an out-of-control epidemic in the United States that costs more and affects more people than any disease Americans currently worry about. It’s called nonadherence to prescribed medications, and it is — potentially, at least — 100 percent preventable by the very individuals it afflicts.
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FDA Delays Baricitinib Decision
Eli Lilly and Company and Incyte Corporation announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed its' decision on baricitinib by issuing a complete response letter for baricitinib's New Drug Application.
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The RheumNow Week in Review – 14 April 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the past week's news, articles and advances from RheumNow.com.
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Acute Steroid Use Comes with Risk
Steroids are known for their acute therpeutic wonders and chronic hazards. Hence most practitioners are comfortable using short term, limited dose corticosteroids for a variety of ailments.
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Celecoxib Plus PPI Preferred in High Risk Patients
When do the risks outweigh the benefits of NSAIDs use, especially in those with prior cardiovascular and gastrointestinal events? The CONCERN study has tested the effects of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) in preventing GI bleeds when using NSAIDs and ASA.
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Spinal Manipulation Equal to NSAIDS for Acute Low Back Pain
JAMA has published a review of 15 RCTs (1711 patients) analyzing the role of spinal manipulation therapy in patients with acute low back pain. The authors found modest improvements in pain and function at up to 6 weeks, with temporary minor musculoskeletal harms.
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Stroke Risk Highest in the First Year of Lupus
Arkema et al has published in Annals of Rheumatic Disease a study showing that ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke (CVA) is elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with the general population, especially in the first year.
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Osteoporosis Drugs of Uncertain Efficacy with CKD
More research is needed to determine the benefits and harms of osteoporosis medications on bone mineral density (BMD), fracture risk, and safety among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is important because complications of CKD include weak bones and increased fracture risk.
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Osteoporosis Screening Indicated Following Non-Vertebral Fractures
The Archives of Osteoporosis have published the results of a cohort study supporting the use of osteoporosis (OP) screening in those sustaining a non-vertebral fracture in patients over age 50 years, independent of sex of level of trauma sustained.
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Hydroxychloroquine Underperforms in a Cutaneous Lupus Trial
Hydroxychloroquine has become a mainstay in the treatement of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proven efficacy in managing many domains of lupus, including skin, joint, and other autoimmune features.
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