Recent News
Read ArticleU.S. News & World Report has published its Best Hospitals for 2026-2027, listing the best among many specialties, including rheumatology. Each year U.S. News Best Hospitals ranked hospitals in the U.S. in 14 adult specialties and for the 9th year in a row, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has been named the top hospital for rheumatology.
Keep HCQ Blood Levels Up to Avoid Cardiovascular Disease in Lupus
MedPage Today
People taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed markedly increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease when blood levels of the drug were low and when long-term adherence was poor, a prospective study showed.
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COLIPSO prospective study of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis adults starting ts/bDMARDs; MRI done serially. 35 pts f/u for ~29 wks - MASLD. Only Rx w/ IL-17 inhibitors improved liver fat and inflammation in psoriatic disease as well as clinical outcomes. https://t.co/uHO8ldjLKJ https://t.co/RqKK5JCANt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Four Decades of Gout Management
During this month-long campaign on Gout, we have documented many significant changes in our approach to gout, as well as many unmet needs and deficiencies that merit our continued primary attention.
https://t.co/ddzj3RktDD https://t.co/x7o0HfWqHa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Methotrexate Safety Tips (7.31.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow. And if you're ready to test your knowledge, take this week's RheumIQ quiz!
https://t.co/3iE9ZAH7q4 https://t.co/y3ir6j6XIP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAMA Review of Hip Fracture
The July 16th edition of JAMA reviews the highly prevalent problem of hip fractures - a major global health burden: 14.2 million occur worldwide annually (280,000 in the US), with global incidence higher in women (833.9/100,000) than men https://t.co/TiiCjoq2Hj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
New, Advanced Therapies in Gout
New, Advanced Therapies in Gout explores the rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape beyond conventional urate-lowering therapy.
https://t.co/0uNK0nOEp6 https://t.co/YD7tQu2QrT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
U Alberta Rheumatology study of GCAPS score in 62 new onset, suspected GCA referrals. GCA Dx in 39 pts excluded in 23. 50% had a High risk GCAPS (screening) score, 38% Intermediate & 13% had Low risk GCAPs. Intermediate or High risk GCAPS sensitivity 97%, specificity 30%, PPV 70% https://t.co/HxHL60VAuO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
In a Cohort of 410 #SLE pts, there were 37 MALES who demonstrated a high prevalence of renal (IV/V lupus nephritis 49%) and a notable incidence of Plaquenil-related retinal toxicity. 62% on HCQ, but 22% D/C HCQ due to retinal toxicity or drug intolerance. https://t.co/FcIFxRoZ6O https://t.co/7OgexLYWge
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)
The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74. The following are declarations, tributes, and memories dedicated to this mensch of a man, titan of science, memorable mentor and humble physician.
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💡 JAMA Insights: #SleepHealth and #obesity are linked, with insufficient sleep quantity and poor sleep quality associated with weight gain, less healthy diet, and incident obesity.
https://t.co/SEj9dwNHiW https://t.co/JbPah4BwDr
JAMA @JAMA_current ( View Tweet)
QD Clinic: Addressing Severe Gout Flares
Dr. Eric Dein, Summit, NJ, discusses a difficult-to-treat case of gout.
https://t.co/tochY0BUBj https://t.co/9hQ13cDY9s
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retrospective study, 41 pediatric Behcets Dz pts looked at Inflam. indices (NLR, SII, PIV, CRP/albumin) vs controls. BD systemic involvement in 68%, CNS dz in 10%, Vascular Dz in 12% & major organ dz 46%. Inflamm indices significantly higher in BD w/ systemic, CNS, & Vasc https://t.co/wHiBIaOWWU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Gout & Metabolic Syndrome
Dr. John Fitzgerald, Los Angeles, hates the expression "It's only Gout."
https://t.co/0JipL3kgcM https://t.co/jszxYAfZwa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Four Decades of Gout Management
During this month-long campaign on Gout, we have documented many significant changes in our approach to gout, as well as many unmet needs and deficiencies that merit our continued, primary attention.
https://t.co/pTcEtEfQtc https://t.co/yK79xyrEHI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Treatment goals in gout: aim for remission!
Rheumatologists are used to the concept of disease remission as this is a treatment goal we use for many chronic rheumatic diseases in our clinical practice. Recently, G-CAN (the Gout and Crystal Arthritis Network), endorsed a https://t.co/PP2NBqvo7E
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
New Avacopan Analysis Sent to FDA
After data manipulation allegations, the FDA has been calling for the vasculitis drug to be pulled from the market since January.
Amgen has submitted a third-party review of avacopan's (Tavneos) pivotal trial data and other analyses to the FDA https://t.co/TdLWRMPvnR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Tips for safe use of allopurinol
https://t.co/Yn1u1bEj4F https://t.co/lMWPI9OsVe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
6 mos. RCT of low-dose baricitinib (Bari) plus danazol for refractory ITP (n 216); Pts Rx w/ either Bari+DNZ vs DNZ alone. At 6-mos a durable response was seen in 45% of Bari+DNZ vs 20% in DNZ monotherapy (P < 0.001). AEs were equal (48% vs 45%), More studies needed on this https://t.co/YbF49ZNA0E
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Machine learning study of 657 multiethnic Lupus pts - 14% had organic & 30% had neuropsychiatric damage. High Glucocorticoid dose was the strongest predictor or organic Dz. NP damage predicted by MD global, fatigue, pain, & steroids https://t.co/LVK57LxKk6 https://t.co/VLisZT7ReY
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Video
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
A JAKi After TNFi Failure in RA: SELECT-SWITCH at Week 12
TU: Systemic Burden of Gout Part 2 (24 plus)
Methotrexate Safety Tips (7.31.2026)
Gout Lessons from the Clinic Part 3
Therapeutic Updates
Make Rheum for Rads: Autoimmune ILD Diagnosis, Monitoring, and the Patient Experience
Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Drs. Elizabeth Volkmann and Robert Suh explore the roles rheumatologists and radiologists play in diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune ILD and hear from a patient about her experience.
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A JAKi After TNFi Failure in RA: SELECT-SWITCH at Week 12
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Christina Charles-Schoeman and Dr. Manish Jain are back to discuss treatment considerations after TNFi failure in RA. Join them as they review the latest data from SELECT-SWITCH, including post hoc results in primary and secondary nonresponders presented at EULAR 2026.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
