Articles By Jack Cush, MD
The RheumNow Week in Review – 6 May 2016
Watch Dr. Cush discuss the highlights from this week on RheumNow.com.
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Risk of Steroid-Induced Diabetes Quantified
Glucocorticoid (or steroid) therapy is a well-known risk factor for diabetes. But what dose, given how and for how long? Dixon and colleagues from the The University of Manchester have quantified the risk of diabetes associated with steroid use.
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FDA REMS/Safety Panel Backs Educational Requirements for Opioid Prescribers
An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration met May 3rd and 4th to review whether the long-acting or extended release (ER/LA) opioid REMS programs approved in 2012 have had a meaningful effect on the opioid abuse problems noted nationwide. The FDA panel voted overwhelming
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Methotrexate Yields No Added Benefit in Etanercept Treated Psoriatic Arthritis Patients
Despite a paucity of clinical trial proof, methotrexate is often advocated or mandated to treat psoriatic arthritis. A recent comparison of clinical trials outcomes fails to show any added value when MTX is given to PsA patients taking etanercept.
Read ArticleBiologic Prescribing and Patient Education
Biologics are big. Their popularity is reflected in their growing use since being introduced in 1998. Biologics have been used by more than 3 million patients worldwide. In 2013, Enbrel, Remicade and Humira accounted for nearly $30 billion in worldwide sales. In the USA, it is estimated that we will spend $220 billion on biologics by 2017.
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A Rheumatologist's Guide to Bariatric Surgery
Obesity is epidemic in North America, affecting nearly 76 million adults. Obesity is not only a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, it clearly worsens pain and function in most musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and has been shown to blunt DMARD and biologic resp
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Simple Referral Rule May Lead to Earlier Referral and Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Early referral and diagnosis remains a challenge for many who care for patients with musculoskeletal complaints. This is especially so in those with chronic low back pain (LBP) and the minority who will have ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis.
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CDC Updates Arthritis Numbers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) routinely surveys the population prevalence of certain chronic disorders, including arthritis.
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RheumNow Anniversary Perspective
Dr. Jack Cush provides a perspective on the first year anniversary of RheumNow.com - a site dedicated to delivering the wisdom, art and science of Rheumatology.
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Biosimilar Switching Shows Favorable Interchangeability
Interchangeability is a major issue that will determine the success of biosimilars.
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