Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Vasculitis Associated with Biologic Use
The widespread use of existing biologics has sometimes been associated with the paradoxical development of biologic-induced autoimmune phenomena, including vasculitis. A recent review of more than 200 vasculitis cases associated with biologic use has profiled the range of these unsual and rare events.
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Generics Surge the Market
Generics are being approved at a record-setting pace. Thanks to the 2012 FDA Safety and Innovation Act, there are new funds generated by manufacturers' fees for drug applications to hasten the approval of generics. In 2015 alone, the FDA has approved 580 generic drugs – the highest number on record – while another 146 were granted tentative approval.
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Curbside Consults - May 2016
How would you manage rheumatoid arthritis patients with melanoma in situ, or high liver enzymes or interstitial lung disease? Curbside consults takes on these challenging therapeutic or safety issues with answers are based on experience, literature and guidelines.
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Scleroderma Digital Ulcers Fail to Respond to Endothelin Antagonist
Khanna and coworkers have published the results of the DUAL-1 and DUAL-2 clinical trials (sponsored by Actelion Pharmaceuticals) testing the efficacy macitentan in reducing the number of new digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis.
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Moderate Alcohol Intake While on Methotrexate Appears Prudent
Research presented at the annual British Society for Rheumatology conference revealed that rheumatoid arthritis patients who drink moderately while taking methotrexate appear to be at no greater risk for liver damage than nondrinkers.
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faSScinate Study Shows Tocilizumab to be Effective in Systemic Sclerosis
The results of the faSScinate trial were published in Lancet showing that treatment with Actemra (tocilizumab) resulted in a reduction in skin thickness and an improvement in lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
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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.
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