Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Alcohol Use During Methotrexate Studied
A recent RheumNow survey of 495 rheumatologists found that half of rheumatologists allow 1-3 alcoholic drinks per week and 6-7% has no alcohol restrictions while being treated with methotrexate (MTX).
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Biologics Do Not Increase Melanoma Risk
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of certain cancers (e.g., skin, lung, lymphoma). At issue is whether the newer agents modify this risk appreciably.
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Steroids, DMARDs and Biologics have Same Low Risk of Infection During Pregnancy
Low rates of serious infections were observed in pregnant women receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Higher rates may be seen with steroid use in pregnancy and SIE trend towards lowest with DMARD or TNFi use.
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Lyrica Fails in Sciatica Pain
Lyrica (pregabalin) was first approved in 2004 and since has been studied and approved for use in neuropathic pain (associated with diabetic neuropathy), postherpetic neuralgia, partial onset seizures, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain with spinal cord injury.
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The RheumNow Week in Review – 24 March 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews news and highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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NEJM Reviews Psoriatic Arthritis
A comprehensive review of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was published this week in the NEJM, authored by leaders in the field, Drs. Ritchlin, Colbert and Gladman.High points from their review inlcuded:
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Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation's 2017 Sjogren's Treatment Guidelines
Dr. Steven Carsons and an expert committee of the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation have published a clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and recommendations for the managment of Sjögren's syndrome.
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Limited Benefits with Intra-Discal Steroid Injections for Back Pain
A a randomized trial published in Annals of Internal Medicine shows that intradiscal glucocorticoid injection has limited (1 month) efficacy in treating low back pain (LBP) associated with active discopathy, yet decreased over time.
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Gadolinium Accumulation with Repeated MRI
Clinical Rheumatology reports that the repeated intravenous administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), although clinically useful, may be associated with rare toxicity and the uncertain clinical effects of accumulation.
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Lupus Hepatitis and Lupoid Hepatitis Reviewed
SLE-related hepatitis (“lupus hepatitis”) and “lupoid hepatitis” are 2 different diseases. The term "lupoid hepatitis", now known as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), was first coined in 1959. AIH was initially called “lupoid hepatitis” by MacKay. A review by Adiga and Nugent reviews, defines and distinguishes between lupus-related hepatitis and lupoid hepatitis.
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