Recent News
Read ArticleDr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports from this past week on RheumNow.com, including reports on FDA resurrections, FM seasonal worsening, and do you fight switch or swap biologics in PsA TNFi nonresponders?
RheumNow Live 2026 is coming February 7th and 8th to Dallas, Texas - and registration is now open!
Ready for the most interactive, engaging and practice-changing rheumatology meeting of the year?
This year’s program covers vasculitis, autoimmune disease, PsA, RA outcomes, https://t.co/cftvdSn3t7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
"When you learn, teach. When you get, give." – Maya Angelou
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
BASDAI scores elevated in Fibromyalgia - 58 FM pts were surveyed wtih FIQ, SSS, BASDAI. BASDAI was ≥ 4 points in 91.4% of FM (vs 13% controls (p < 0.001). BASDAI correlated w/ the FIQ (pain, fatigue, stiffness) & SSS scores (r = 0.88, p < 0.00). Could BASDAI be used in FM? https://t.co/M0tI8wjzh4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Partial vs Total Knee Replacement: Is One Superior?
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little https://t.co/KOZwedtnxo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Zantac is Back! Ranitidine has been off the market for 5yrs, withdrawn over concerns about N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurity affecting shelf-life. The FDA has approved reformulated ranitidine tablets - the drug has the same prior efficacy and safety label. https://t.co/ktTz5EO2Ja
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retrospective study of 39 pts w/ MDA5 + DM-ILD Rx w baricitinib. 31 (79.5%) had improvement in Gottron’s, heliotrope, dyspnea, HRCT score, ferritin, LDH, steroid dose & 6 mo survival (87% vs. 70%, p = 0.047). https://t.co/RCTbBsCkeV https://t.co/dF8I0gF4Dy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A New Disease Activity Score for Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
APS is a systemic autoimmune disorder. It is characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and a broad spectrum of clinical features, causing obstetric as well as thrombotic, microvascular and https://t.co/G2xGtOPmwb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Coccyx and Sacrococcygeal Joint Disorders
Pain from coccygeal or sacrococcygeal disorders is rare, often presenting as a diagnostic challenge. Coccygeal pain is often mistaken for lumbosacral, pelvic, or gastrointestinal disorders. This review presents the epidemiology, anatomy, biomechanics, presentations, diagnostic evaluation, imaging and management of coccygeal disorders, including surgery.
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RheumNow Live 2026 is coming February 7th and 8th to Dallas, Texas - and registration is now open!
This year’s program covers vasculitis, autoimmune disease, PsA, RA outcomes, spondyloarthritis, and much more.
Reserve your spot today at https://t.co/o78Pc8LPsQ https://t.co/GOUW5Od9Hy
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 452 #PsA pts who failed 1st line TNFi Rx (LOE) - 275 Cycled to another TNFi vs 177 Swapped to an IL-17i. Higher Retention in Swap (78%) vs cycled (68%) PsA pts (p < 0.001) @12 mos (60 v 40%@3yrs). Tx failure predicted by cycling, Dz Activity, Rx year, axial & mixed https://t.co/VQLBlBEw4W
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Gout. ECHO study of 202 hyperuricemic (100 gout vs 102 asympt [asymSUA]) pts. VS. asymSUA, Gout pts had signific more LV Diastolic Dysfunc (31% vs 11%), lower LV ejection Fx (60 vs 65); questioning need for tailored CV monitoring in ^SUA pts https://t.co/gCOKKk7H05
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Obesity-inflammation axis in PsO & PsA: obesity is assoc w/ less remission& poorer drug responses; possibly from adipokines, biomechanical stress, gut dysbiosis, etc. Notably, weight loss can improve both psoriatic disease course and response to therapy. https://t.co/cZbeu0zfmR https://t.co/EoCTNKk265
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 2280 dermatomyositis (DM) & polymyositis (PM) pts looked at short term (ST: <3 mos) vs long term (LT) steroid (GC) use. Vs ST, LT GC use assoc w/ higher risks of heart failure (adj OR 1.8), osteoporosis (1.9), all-cause & PM/DM-related admission (3.8) & higher costs https://t.co/Q9xt06yzew
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
BASDAI scores elevated in Fibromyalgia - 58 FM pts were surveyed wtih FIQ, SSS, BASDAI. BASDAI was ≥ 4 points in 91.4% of FM (vs 13% controls (p < 0.001). BASDAI correlated w/ the FIQ (pain, fatigue, stiffness) & SSS scores (r = 0.88, p < 0.00). Could BASDAI be used in FM? https://t.co/VF94ru0o3Q
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
2023 National Health Interview Survey studied arthritis-attributable work limitations (AAWL) in US adults (18-64 yrs) - it was 38.8% (unchanged from 2019). AAWL was higher in Hispanics (50%), American Indian/Alaska Natives (56%), & disabled (62%), & veterans (52%) https://t.co/sE3En74zfq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Treating Refractory Still's Disease
A full read systematic review article examined treatment options for difficult to manage systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or Still’s disease. It classified these refractory disease patients as those with either (1) persistent arthritis, (2) recurrent or difficult-to-treat macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), or (3) interstitial lung disease.
Chronic pain may dramatically raise your blood pressure
Science Daily
Widespread chronic pain may stealthily drive up blood pressure, partly through its ties to depression and inflammation.
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JAMA review of Peripheral Neuropathy - affects ~ 1% of adults worldwide and may cause sensory, motor, and autonomic Sxs. Diabetes is the most common cause. 1st line Rxs include gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, amitriptyline. (FOR AMA MEMBERS) https://t.co/sof15I1GpU https://t.co/PN0KMeUsGA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
CorEvitas observational registry of 3,696 w/ psoriatic arthritis (no hx of CV eents), followed for mean 3.7 yrs, showed that Dactylitis and enthesitis did not predict future CV events. But Dactylitis and enthesitis and Synovitis were all significantly interrelated. Cureus 17(11): https://t.co/kPgGKliUUs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the blog
Podcasts
Turkey Tryptophan (11.28.2025)
DERM on RheumNow (November 2025)
Tuesday Nite Rheumatology (on 11.25.25)-
Vitamin D and Lupus Outcomes (11.21.2025)
Therapeutic Updates
Sjögren’s Disease – What Are You Missing?
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
What could you be missing in Sjögren's disease? Explore hypothetical patient cases with atypical presentations, systemic manifestations, and overlooked symptoms. Gain expert insights and practical tips for clinical assessment from Dr Shereen Mahmood and learn how the ESSDAI can help you measure disease activity.
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A JAKi in GCA: Phase 3 Results Through 2 Years
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Listen as rheumatologists Dr. Anisha Dua and Dr. Ben Boone discuss the latest efficacy and safety results over 2 years from a Phase 3 trial in GCA, including remission, flares, and glucocorticoid use in patients continuing vs withdrawing a JAKi"
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
