Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Azathioprine Adverse Events Associated with TPMT Polymorphisms
Azathioprine (AZA) is widely used in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases. Its use and optimal dosing may be limited by adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is an important enzyme involved in AZA metabolism.
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Famous Rheumatologist Quotes – Part I
A famous quote from Verna Wright, MD, states, “Clinicians may all too easily spend years writing“doing well” in the notes of a patient who has become progressively crippled before their eyes".
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Physician Burnout on the Rise
Burnout among U.S. doctors affects more than half of practicing physicians, according to a new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1RpV8Q0)
Read ArticleRituximab's Efficacy May Be Correlated with CD4 T Cell Counts
Rituximab (RTX) is highly effective at B cell depletion and this may be one of several hypothetical ways in which the drug works. B cell numbers (measured as CD19+ B cells) plummet rapidly after the first infusion and stay down for 6-12 months.
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Reduced Uric Acid from Weight Loss Tied to Triglycerides
Weight loss is one of several nonpharmaceutical interventions to reduce serum urate (SUA) levels and control gout. French researchers examined the role of xanthine oxidase (XO), low-grade inflammation, and weight loss on SUA levels in obese patients.
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Prudent Diet Reduces Risk of RA and Gout
The 2015 ACR meeting in San Francisco highlighted several studies wherein dietary patterns predicted a reduced risk of both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout.
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EHR Connected Doctors May Be Disconnected from Patients
Reuters reports doctors who entered data into electronic health records (EHR) during patients' appointments tend to communicate less and receive lower ratings from their patients.
Read ArticleJuvenile Dermatomyositis Responds Best to Methotrexate and Prednisone
Lancet reports the results of a randomized controlled trial comparing prednisone alone to prednisone combined with either methotrexate (MTX) or cyclosporine (CyA) in new-onset juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).
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UCSF Study Shows Weight Loss Protects OA Cartilage
Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco have shown that >10% weight loss may impact the rate of cartilage loss as determined by MRI scanning. They presented their findings yesterday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
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Curbside Consults - December 2015
The following is a collection of cases presented to me by my colleagues in Canada during a day of workshop case discussions among clinical consultants. Each case is presented because of a challenging therapeutic issue.
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