Recent News
Read ArticleDr. Jack Cush follows the money and all the news that fits the Rheumatology Gab for this past week.
Severe thrombocytopenia (TP) assoc w/ severe APS & increased mortality. Retro study of 432 #APS pts - 142 w/ TP (33%): 13% severe TP (<50L G/L). Severe TP assoc w/ ITP & CAP -had higher mortality https://t.co/7f8VpIcEJy
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Weight-loss drugs may affect joints directly
A new study from Aarhus University shows that the hormone GLP-1, which is mimicked in medication for diabetes and weight loss, is present in joint fluid. In the long term, this may open up new treatments for arthritis. https://t.co/HkcPUQp05H
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Does monotherapy work? network meta-analysis of 31 RCTs, 13 csDMARDs, Leflunomide, SSZ & gold were better than placebo & equal to MTX regarding annual xray progression scores. Evidence in favor BUT failed to study monoRx vs Combo Rx https://t.co/cMSZ4QHi5G https://t.co/o9ikhJu3UM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NSAIDs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
At least some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can safely use common drugs for musculoskeletal aches and pains, a large study of insurance claims data suggested, contradicting a widespread concern that these products can https://t.co/JeINgTWTK0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ACR Endorses New Training Model for Pediatric Subspecialties
The ACR welcomes the recent announcement from the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) outlining new training models for pediatric subspecialties. Given the collaborative work ACR has engaged in over the years, this is https://t.co/blNkWXuLkJ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
TriNetX study of 7,929 RA pts Rx w/ bDMARDs (n 2668) w/in 6 mos of elective hand surgery - perioperative bDMARD continuation (34%) was not associated with significant increases in risks of wound healing failures (1.4% vs 1.4%) or SSI (2% vs 1.5%) https://t.co/NY6l2jRswb https://t.co/IxoYtLNGvf
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
GI involvement occurs in 37-65% of adult IgA (IgAV) cases, w/ Sxs of abdominal pain, hematochezia, severe complications of perforation & ischemia. Dx w/ CRP, NLR, D-dimer, imaging (CT, endoscopy). Steroids w/ Mod-to-severe Dz. MMF or IVIG for refractory cases. https://t.co/vgvZnYXIOI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Story of Decline, Delay, or Plateau? Dr. Elena Myasoedova
In this https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR 2026 podcast, Dr. Elena Myasoedova examines mortality trends in RA, exploring whether we are seeing continued decline, delayed impact, or a concerning https://t.co/yUob3Tv0tR
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) (from PMN extracellular traps - possible marker of PMN activation) studied in 65 MPA/GPA pts. CitH3 signif correlated w/ BVAS (r 0.393) & ESKD risk (adj HR 1.181) https://t.co/kyNzCTUCKD https://t.co/DdMvbBBSdk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Twofold Mortality in SLE
Despite declining incidence of lupus, mortality for SLE was twice that of controls in this large incident cohort study.
FDA has accepted Genetech application for obinutuzumab (Gazyva) to treat SLE (currently only approved for lupus nephritis) - based on Phase III ALLEGORY study w/ Gazyva showing signif reduced dz activity https://t.co/hgYMJJDKGA https://t.co/41sZkXPM7W
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
DESIR axSpA inception cohort study of 631 pts (no HTN), found no signif association between NSAID use & incident HTN. Over 10 YRs, 88 developed HTN (HR 1.01, 1.00–1.02) https://t.co/Gs9mPwthEj https://t.co/4sfpHmFTsu
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Chinese study of 371 pts w/ Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) - extrahepatic autoimmune diseases (EADs) seen in 24% -Sjogren’s & autoimmune thyroid dz (9% each). ANA+ independently assoc w/ EADs (OR 2) https://t.co/NVz8MWbJch https://t.co/tjCzaDcUFI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Comorbidity burden, uveitis, & psoriasis independently assoc w/ greater spinal radiographic progression in AS. Study3,441 pts (75% male; 84% B27+). Progression greater w/ 2+ comorbidities & uveitis, & PSO https://t.co/WDUdjqiD4e https://t.co/nkRCjzSLFT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Chinese target emulation trial of MDA-5+, dermatomyositis w/ ILD. 106 Rx w/ UPA & 328 w/ TOFA. 6-month lung transplantation-free survival 72% vs 67% (UPA v TOFA). UPA non-inferior to TOFA in MDA5+DM-ILD https://t.co/BBAfbM06AM https://t.co/QP8YdX7CcH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheumatology Salaries 2025
Medscape has published its annual Physician Compensation report with physican salaries up roughly 3% and eight specialties earning more than $500,000 per annum.
https://t.co/UKc2l4FBQZ https://t.co/Kqzbl6pGWh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NSAIDs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
MedPage Today
At least some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can safely use common drugs for musculoskeletal aches and pains, a large study of insurance claims data suggested, contradicting a widespread concern that these products can trigger IBD flares.
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Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)
https://t.co/6JfMvsGIdS https://t.co/W6BNcwMD3O
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Severe thrombocytopenia (TP) assoc w/ severe APS & increased mortality. Retro study of 432 #APS pts - 142 w/ TP (33%): 13% severe TP (<50L G/L). Severe TP assoc w/ ITP & CAP -had higher mortality https://t.co/p0bvLKupUe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the Blog
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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Podcasts
Follow the Money (4.23.2026)-
Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)
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Top Four and More (4.10.2026)
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Whats New PsA? (4.3.2026)
Therapeutic Updates
PsA GRAPPA domains: Outcomes With a JAKi
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Schwartzman and Dr. Ruderman discuss how PsA disease activity across GRAPPA domains may guide treatment decisions, sharing both the evidence for and their experience with a JAKi across domains.
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Poster Hall
