Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Best of 2022: Acne with JAK Inhibitors
JAK inhibitors have become enormously popular and while their side effect profile has been delineated and reviewed, little mention is made of acne – an adverse event that may affect up to one-quarter of patients taking JAK inhibitors (JAKi). Dermatologists often refer to this side effect as "JAKne".
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Best of 2022: Undifferentiated Arthritis Does Not Follow an RA Course
Undifferentiated arthritis (UA) is common in medical practice and many advocate early use of DMARDs; yet a recent study shows that despite DMARD use, UA patients do not fair well with this approach.
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Best of 2022: ACR/EULAR 2022 Classification Criteria for Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
The ACR/EULAR 2022 revised classification criteria for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) have been updated with performance characteristics and are validated for use in clinical research.
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Best of 2022: Rheumatology Valentine
My uncle is going through medical hell. As a committed iatrophobic (fear of doctors), any mention of phlebotomy, tests, needles or a clinic visit evokes flop-sweat. Since being slapped with a cancer diagnosis, he has overcome a lot, and much to my surprise has bravely done so. When I asked how he has adapted so well to the medical onslaught he now leans into, his answer was quick and poignant.
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Best of 2022: Approach to ILD in Myositis Syndromes
Mehta et al have published a full read review of managing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with inflammatory myopathies, a heterogeneous group of syndromes connected by ILD and and increased morbidity and mortality risk.
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Fever, FROST, & Pericarditis (12.16.2022)
Dr. Jack Frost reviews the news, and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow and ends with an audience question on "Macro-CK".
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COVID-19 Vaccine Responses in Rheumatic Disease Patients
Nature Reviews Rheumatology features a review of three notable papers that address the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on people with inflammatory rheumatic disease.
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JAK Inhibitor Potential in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated ILD
The occurrence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Systemic sclerosis portends serious morbid and mortal outcomes for those affected. This review examines the available clinical literature on the potential benefits and outcomes of JAK inhibitor use in SSc=ILD.
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Marginal Benefit with Diet and Exercise in Obese Knee Osteoarthritis Patients
The easiest intervention for knee osteoarthritis (diet and exercise) is also the most difficult for many patients; but do these work? A new study of a weight loss and exercise program in community settings shows only marginal benefits.
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The Best Prescription
The craziest question that you can ask any doctor is “what is your best therapy for __?”. Crazy, because there are exponential answers, with factored layers that make each decision unique to that doctor. Each doctor has her own cha-cha-cha algorithm to a particular problem. The problem is, we each dance to a different cha-cha-cha tune in the practice of medicine.
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