Recent News
A network meta-analysis in the Journal of Autoimmunity reviews the pharmacologic options for rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). RA-ILD guidelines were recently presented by ERS/EULAR, but these were mainly conditional, low-certainty recommendations.Read Article
NEJM Retracts Pivotal ADVOCATE Trial of FDA-Approved Avacopan
MedPage Today
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) retracted the pivotal study supporting FDA's approval of avacopan (Tavneos) for severe forms of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.
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New research shows synovial lining enriched in macrophages expressing SPP1 (encoding osteopontin) in proximity to fibroblasts and fibrin deposits. SPP1+ macrophages degrade fibrin & promote fibroblast proliferation that deposit collagen & does the damage, joint remodeling. A new https://t.co/hrJoQXpAH8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Whats the BEST FIRST Rx in DMARD-Naive #RA - Tofacitinib or MTX. RCTs (ORAL Start, RA-BEGIN, SELECT-EARLY, FINCH 3) prove JAKi > MTX. A recent 116 RCT from China also shows Tofa > MTX by SDAI50 (94% v 75%) @3 mos & Tofa was more cost effective. https://t.co/KL2qlDgF6D https://t.co/wNVBgQkaMI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EULAR26: ANCHOR-RA Study of RA-ILD
People with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), which is associated with high mortality. ANCHOR-RA is a large, international cross-sectional prospective study that will enable the development of a https://t.co/tsOpA4SAZP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Prosthetic Jt Infections after prior Septic Arthritis? Systematic review of 35 retro studies/7,447 pts (4,896 TKA, 2,564 THA). PJI rate = 2.6%, more after TKA (9.8%) than THA (1.1%). Lower rates w/ longer intervals between TJA and septic arthritis. 2 stage procedures increased https://t.co/M425Xuc7Z4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Long term F/U of Gout (CARES) trial (febuxostat vs allopurinol) shows remission increased from 37% (1,593/4,259) 1st Yr to 63% (322/510) at year 6. Over the 6 years, ~60 achieved remission at least once; more likely based on age, race, dz severity, comorbidities, & febuxostat
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A federal judge has blocked the Department of Education new rule restricting graduate school loans for NPs and PAs. DEA plan does not qualify NP & PA degrees as "professional", & loans were to be limited to $20,500 annually ($100K lifetime) https://t.co/5eIcFgbbx6 https://t.co/xuik5TWjVU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
American Gastroenterological Association announced the launch of AGA APP GI Readiness and Credentialing, a professional development initiative fir advanced practice providers throughout their careers. Establishes structured professional pathways for APP https://t.co/k3pC7HazMt https://t.co/8wT4ltIsSC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The Power of Self-Management with Chronic Low Back Pain
EurekAlert!
Almost everyone will deal with back pain at some point in their lives. Most recover quickly — but for about 20% of people, acute pain becomes a chronic condition that interferes with daily life and keeps them out of the workforce.
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Uric Acid: Is Lower Better?
Lowering serum urate and urate crystals in the body is indispensable for long-term management of gout. The pathophysiology is simple and powerful: no urate crystals, no gout flares. However, this simplicity in goal belies a nuanced consideration in management: how low should serum urate be maintained to improve outcomes for our patients with gout?
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Chinese target trial emulation of 2092 adults with stage G3–G4 CKD & asymptomatic hyperuricemia starting ULT. At 3 yrs, renal progression (ESKD or ≥40% eGFR decline) was 33.3% in T2T vs 35.8% in non-T2T (risk ratio 0.93; 0.83–1.08). https://t.co/lAT0noE1uA https://t.co/mFVpvvFcsN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Cochicine overdose still occurs & can be deadly. There is no antidote. From 2011-2021, there were 57 pediatric cases (median 7 yrs)(0.41 /million kids/year. 52% started w/ GI Sxs, 12% multiple organ failure &4 deaths (7%). Ingested doses ranged from 0.01 to 1.45 mg/kg. https://t.co/RULmdBX0Qj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUM SURVEY>> Which Gout drugs lower the risk of cardiovascular death? Answer here: https://t.co/1OY1B3ET7B https://t.co/MRJP5OOtXb
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAMA HBV review - Worldwide, HBV affects ~254 million, causing 1.1 million deaths. In 2022, 14k new HBV infx in the US. HBsAg = ongoing infxn; HBsAb indicates immunity; HBcAg=ongoing or past infection. Do HBV DNA for virus-replication activity https://t.co/Yvdx09DrQ5 https://t.co/88VsTEgFev
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA
EULAR recommends a combination of glucocorticoids with either rituximab or cyclophosphamide for remission induction in life-threatening or organ-threatening AAV, followed by gradual tapering of glucocorticoids. https://t.co/9HI9SwMSSv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ICYMI: Worldwide Trends in Hyperuricemia
A Lancet Rheumatology systematic review shows the prevalence of hyperuricaemia has risen markedly over the past two decades in both men and women, owing to population growth, aging, and increasing age-specific rates. https://t.co/8QAWkka0DM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RheumIQ: Per the 2025 EULAR RA recommendations, if a csDMARD strategy fails, which drug class requires careful risk assessment before use? Test your knowledge this week at https://t.co/z8mLbcgE5D. https://t.co/r61gvyMHPS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
2026 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
New guidelines offer clinicians and patients clearer directions on diagnostic workup, treatment selection, and long-term disease management, while emphasizing shared decision-making due to ongoing evidence gap. https://t.co/3V8bfDptDU
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
Podcast Replay: Is it Time to Transition MOAs in RA?
ICYMI: Great Lectures; Great Presentations-
Generic Tofacitinib (6.26.2026)
DERM on RheumNow (June 2026)
Therapeutic Updates
Fundamentals of CAR T Cell Therapy and Its Investigational Use in Autoimmune Diseases
Sponsored By Bristol Myers Squibb
Therapeutic Update
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Watch our 'Systemic Burden of Gout' series as part of this month's Gout More than Flares campaign. Now available: 3 New Things It Pays to Know About Gout Pathobiology, Outcomes of Tophaceous Gout & Subclinical Inflammation in Intercritical Gout.
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Poster Hall
Daily Gem
Gout prevalence rises with obesity (1% → 7%)
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