Most recent by Howard Blumstein, MD
Open-label placebo injection demonstrates ‘modest’ benefit in chronic back pain
A single saline injection, openly prescribed as a placebo, yielded approximately 1 month of chronic back pain improvement, along with longer-term benefits in depression and sleep, according to data published in JAMA Network Open.
Patients with chronic sleep deprivation at higher risk for lupus
Individuals with chronic sleep deprivation demonstrate a higher risk for developing systemic lupus erythematosus, with stronger effects in those with depression and bodily pain, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.
Hooked on Rheum with Howard Blumstein, MD
I did not really think about rheumatology until the first or second year of medical school, when we had a very brief course on it. However, it wasn’t until my fourth year of medical training that I seriously considered rheumatology as a specialty.
Molecular signature-assisted drug selection may improve results in rheumatoid arthritis
Molecular signature response classifier-assisted rheumatoid arthritis treatment selection may improve real-world results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to data published in Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy.
Benefits of statins ‘outweigh’ increased diabetes risk in rheumatoid arthritis
The benefits of statins in reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality “outweigh” the associated increased risk for type 2 diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.
IL-1 inhibitors linked to ‘significant reduction’ in COVID-19 mortality
Interleukin-1 inhibitors are associated with a “significant reduction” in mortality among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, respiratory insufficiency and hyperinflammation, according to data published in The Lancet Rheumatology.
Coronary artery disease plus RA exacerbates risk for adverse CV events, mortality
Among patients with coronary artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis was significantly associated with an elevated risk for myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, according to data.
Imaging reveals newly diagnosed SLE involves cardiac impairment
Drug-naive patients newly diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus are likely to demonstrate silent cardiac impairments, even before any symptoms of chest discomfort arise, according to findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.