Top in rheumatology: Increase in cannabis use, gout care strategies
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Data show that cannabis use tripled from 2014 to 2019 among patients with rheumatic disease. Experts said this may be due to patients’ dissatisfaction with their health. A review of the data was the top story in rheumatology last week.
Also, a recent study revealed that hospitalizations for gout flares have doubled in the U.S. between 1993 and 2011, yet there are no prospective studies that examine ways to improve gout care. This was another top story.
Read these and more news in rheumatology below:
Cannabis use tripled in patients with rheumatic disease over 5 years
Approximately 18% of patients in a rheumatic disease registry used cannabis in 2019, up from 6.3% in 2014, with the highest prevalence occurring in states where its use is legal, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. Read more.
Review shows 'urgent need' for high-quality, prospective studies on gout care strategies
There is a lack of high-quality treatment studies in patients hospitalized for gout flares, and zero prospective studies on ways to improve urate-lowering therapy use and prevent readmission, according to data published in Rheumatology. Read more.
Elderly-onset, nonelderly rheumatoid arthritis respond similarly to biologics
Patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis have similar disease activity and adverse-event risk responses to biologics as nonelderly patients, according to data published in The Journal of Rheumatology. Read more.
Johns Hopkins again tops list of hospitals for rheumatology by U.S. News and World Report
Johns Hopkins was named the best hospital for rheumatology for the fourth year in a row by the U.S. News & World Report, which recently released its Best Hospitals Survey for the 2021-2022 year. Read more.
Only higher-dose tramadol outperforms placebo for improved pain, function in knee, hip OA
A daily 300 mg dose of tramadol — but not 100 or 200 mg doses — surpassed placebo in improving pain and function related to hip or knee osteoarthritis, but was linked to increasing adverse events, researchers noted in Arthritis Care & Research. Read more.