Recent News
Read ArticleA cross-sectional study of US adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) shows significantly increased prevalence of polypharmacy, related to age, disease outcomes and often, non-SLE common medications.
Review of Ruxolitinib in 7 pts w/ refractory systemic JIA complicated by macrophage activation (MAS) (ages 1.6-11 yrs; 3M: 4F). 5 achieved complete remission; 2 partial remission. 2 relapsed w/ GC tapering (remission after adding canakinumab). No deaths https://t.co/j4Cm3UYB9c https://t.co/YIupsBank5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Adverse drug events (ADEs) studied in autoimmune rheum Dz (ARDs). In 10,578 ARD pts 30% had 1+ ADE, highest in SSc (36%). Polypharmacy (57.3% minor, 39.4% major) contrib to increasing ADEs. ADEs were more from Sx Rx (antacids, Tylenol, psychotropics) than DMARDs. https://t.co/BOAfU1DyIN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Integrating D2T into T2T Practices in RA
EurekAlert!
Researchers at Semmelweis University analyzed how depression, smoking, obesity, sleep disorders, and other health problems are linked to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T-RA) and how this can inform treat-to-target (T2T) and individualized therapy.
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Korean claims data on FX in RA (2010-2017; n = 43,677). RA had more FX (aHR 1.68), regardless of b/tsDMARD use. Seropositive had more Fx (aHR 1.19), Vertebral Fx (aHR 1.4) & hip Fx (aHR 1.55) VS seronegative RA https://t.co/5Fm3o841H7 https://t.co/V0L87JYtba
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Hopkins study of HCQ in discoid lupus (DLE) - 5 yr outcomes of 106 adult DLE; those on HCQ had less hyperlipidemia (HL), PAD, angina, & CAD. Parallel TriNetX study showed HCQ assoc w/ signif less HTN, HL, DM, CAD, & CVA. https://t.co/yX7FkGCnvR https://t.co/oddq68FYeE
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WSJ: Nurse Practitioner Is Now the Hottest Job in Healthcare
The Wall St. Journal has published a perspective on nurse practitioners (NP) and their very promising careers.
https://t.co/YUasxB43ZO https://t.co/tkvKh0JEui
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Join the global rheumatology community following RheumNow at #EULAR2026
✔️ Trusted faculty voices
✔️ Fast, curated insights
✔️ Clinically relevant takeaways
This is where rheumatology meets real-world practice. https://t.co/Hb88ZCP58P
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's
A small pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/tyd1efUtca https://t.co/zcY7RyX8SZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Trends and Innovations in Lupus Nephritis Clinical Trials
Xu et al. from Shanghai University have written an analysis of global lupus nephritis (LN) clinical trials and call for innovation.
This systematic review of was informed by 200 interventional pharmacological trials https://t.co/fUTIMhMAis
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
LRA Awards for Immune Resetting Therapies in Lupus
Lupus Research Alliance
Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the world’s largest private funder of lupus research, in collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced the inaugural recipients of the Lupus Research Alliance-Genentech Award on Immune Resetting Therapies for Lupus (LGA-IRT).
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WSJ: Nurse Practitioner Is Now the Hottest Job in Healthcare
The Wall St. Journal has published a perspective on nurse practitioners (NP) and their very promising careers.
Cross-sectional study of 339 IBD pts (64% women, median 42yrs (32–53) found osteopenia by BMD in 34%, OP in 12%. Predictors not identified by multivariable analysis. Rheum eval led to OP Rx in 7% & vitamin D in 45% https://t.co/CNs7hb9KX8 https://t.co/aoesaW1pKw
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
US Biobank (n=480K) study of mobile phone use. W/ 13.6 yrs F/U, 6082 new RA. Cell phone use incr incident RA 14% (HR: 1.14; 1.07–1.23); w/ 8% risk (HR: 1.08) if used >30 min/wk. Speakerphone use was NS. https://t.co/U7TcyoY5SS https://t.co/kqqnFXwaEi
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Population cohort study of pregnancies from UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, 5.2 million pregnancies, ~2.5 mill births. Incr risk for miscarriage in Sjögrens (aRR 1.66), C-sect in IBD (1.27), SGA in SLE (2.45), preterm birth in RA (1.53), stillbirth in SLE (1.82) & more https://t.co/IjtRTE2t78
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUM SURVEY> Per 2024 EULAR Guidelines, an active RA pt on MTX who fails a 1st TNFi, should next change to ?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
VACIMRA RCT in 249 RA pts on MTX were PCV13 vaccinated & continued or held MTX x 4wks. Best humoral responses w/ holding MTX x4wks with no clinical detriment over next 12 mos (remission, LDA, Xray outcomes) https://t.co/b6ByOYY0Fi https://t.co/XeJURKLpL8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
30 yr Retrospective study of 1216 SLE hospitalizations in Barcelona - SLE flares & infections were most frequent. Hosp for infections signif. increased & in last 5yrs, exceeded Dz flares (34% vs. 26%). Younger pts had more flare hosp; older more infx hosp. Over time infx have https://t.co/TkUiXaoL1R
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUM SURVEY> Per 2024 EULAR Guidelines, an active RA pt on MTX who fails a 1st TNFi, should next change to ?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Quiz Talk (5.22.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush talks of birthdays, quizzes, and journal articles this week on the podcast.
https://t.co/LwX0XxgPhn https://t.co/4uVTQo6NLG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the Blog
Podcasts
Quiz Talk (5.22.2026)-
Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026)
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Influential Rheumatoid Factors(5/8/2026)
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Great Lectures; Great Presentations
Therapeutic Updates
Expert insights on the 2024 ACR Guideline recommendations for lupus nephritis
Sponsored by Aurinia
Two experts in lupus care offer a balanced perspective on applying the updated ACR Guideline recommendations and the clinical nuances of managing lupus nephritis.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
