Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Debate over Alcohol and Methotrexate Precautions
Drs. Kremer and Weinblatt have responded to a recent Annals of Rheumatic Disease article regarding the hepatic risks of alcohol use with methotrexate (MTX) therapy authored by Humphries et al. (Citation source: http://buff.ly/2r70uuz)
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2017 ACR Guideline on Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
The American College of Rheumatology has updated its 2010 guideline for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. The guideline provides recommendations on assessing fracture risk and treatment for adults and special patient populations, including women of childbearing potential, adults treated with very high-dose glucocorticoids, adults with organ transplants, and children ages 4-17.
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Upadacitinib Effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis
AbbVie released the preliminary results of a rheumatoid arthritis trial wherein its Jak inhibitor, upadacitinib, was tested against placebo, and shown to be superior in established RA patients who have failed prior DMARD therapy.
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Nurse-Led Patient Care in Rheumatology
Manpower in rheumatology is about to be a major problem for the next several decades: not enough trainees, a "tsunami of retiring older white rheumatologists", and an aging baby-boomer, arthritis-primed population will strain current resources and manpower. Moreover, necessary services will not likely be available to those in need and there may be a significant maldistribution of adequate rheumatologic care.
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Biosimilar Reports – May 2017
Biosimilars continue to command a great deal of research, development and attention given the promise of significant cost savings and potentially wider use for those in need. Biosimilar Reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists.
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Higher Fracture Risks with Prolonged Bisphosphonate Use in Older Women
The Journal of the American Geriatric Society has reported that older women receiving bisphosphonate therapy for greater than 10-13 years were more likely to suffer from fractures.
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20% Price Hike Among Pfizer Drugs
The increasing cost of drug has been the subject of concern and review - by legislators, reporters and patients. The Financial Times has reviewed the annual price increases for the 91 drugs in Pfizers portfolio, showing an average price increase by 20 percent in the past year.
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The RheumNow Week in Review – 2 June 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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Chondroitin Effective in Knee OA. Or is it?
Reginster and colleagues have reported on the results of the CONCEPT trial showing that osteoarthritis (OA) patients treated 800 mg/day of pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate (CS) have less VAS pain scores and improved function over 6 months therapy. These results were superior to placebo and equivalent to celecoxib in reducing in symptomatic OA knee pain.
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Ohio Sues Five Pharma Companies Over Opioid Epidemic
Ohio is suing five major drug manufacturers, accusing them of misrepresenting the risks of prescription opioid painkillers that has resulted in the current opioid epidemic.
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