Recent News
- The NEJM has published a randomized controlled trial in giant-cell arteritis (GCA) patients, demonstrating significant efficacy and safety of upadacitinib (UPA), given as 15 mg daily, as compared to placebo.A total of 209 GCA patients (70% had had new onset GCA) were randomized in a 2:

Review article shows that in psoriasis pts, adding #MTX to TNFi increases efficacy, but there is limited data on adding MTX to either IL-17 or IL-23. But in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), adding MTX provides no added efficacy compared to biologic monotherapy https://t.co/FiSFIjpsXo https://t.co/ComFg253u9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Diagnostic delays and Undertreatment of Psoriatic Arthritis
EurekAlert!
New research from the University of Bath in the UK reveals delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of psoriatic arthritis often results in irreversible damage to joints.
Read Article
NIH Complimentary Medicine overview of Music Therapy - preliminary research suggests that music interventions may be helpful for anxiety, depression, pain control, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc https://t.co/UGsfT7lITQ https://t.co/DrJm4JdEuY
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

EMA approved a record 28 biosimilars in 2024 for cancer, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, and immune-related diseases like plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease https://t.co/NNzKRalLvF https://t.co/nfX082a7ON
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Systematic review 21 studies showed potential of RTX with IVIg in autoimmune Dz - 10 studies on pemphigus (85 pts) - all Positive outcomes except 1 paraneoplastic pemphigus. Infections (eg, P. jirovecii pneumonia) seen in 3. 11 studies (24 pts) Rx'd neuropathies, CND lupus& https://t.co/l1BZ7sObg2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Consensus on Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Osteoporosis
A new consensus paper, published by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), and the https://t.co/lq1odNBLdZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Consensus Against Interventional Injections for Chronic Spinal Pain
BMJ has published a clinical practice guideline resulting from the work of an international, multidisciplinary panel addressing chronic spine pain (≥3 months duration) not associated with cancer or https://t.co/PfXM210PsZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Vamorolone, a promising alternative to traditional glucocorticoids for inflammatory diseases.
◦ #Vamorolone is a dissociated steroid compound with reduced side effects.
◦ Unlike conventional #glucocorticoids, vamorolone lacks the hydroxyl or ketone groups and is resistant to https://t.co/yvDWqcbXbn
Alberto Giraldo @alb_giraldo ( View Tweet)

✅ IF YOU ARE LIVING WITH #LUPUS, you can now try #SLAKE, the ONLINE DIGITAL research tool for assessing your ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE about #SLE in English, German, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Français, Hindi, Indonesian, Dutch, etc... using the following LINK: https://t.co/nSCdBBMEcx https://t.co/PBAPkGynjP
Links:
Laurent ARNAUD @Lupusreference ( View Tweet)
Joint Implant Metals May Be Leaking
Patients with metal-containing joint replacements had significantly higher concentrations of cobalt in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relative to patients without arthroplasties, researchers reported.
Read Article1st Line Biologics vs csDMARDs in Adult Still's Disease
A German multicentre, retrospective study assessed the first-line efficacy of biologics and conventional synthetic DMARD therapy in patients with adult-onset Still's disease and found biologic agents were significantly better with sustained, event-free remissions and fewer complications.
Read Article
Cancer Survival with TNF Inhibitors
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on https://t.co/V10S4oVFsv
https://t.co/MKJKAi0BPV
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Review article shows that in psoriasis pts, adding #MTX to TNFi increases efficacy, but there is limited data on adding MTX to either IL-17 or IL-23. But in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), adding MTX provides no added efficacy compared to biologic monotherapy https://t.co/lNMFZW6XZt https://t.co/RTadfIGZUm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

NIH Complimentary Medicine overview of Music Therapy - preliminary research suggests that music interventions may be helpful for anxiety, depression, pain control, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc https://t.co/RP8X8Kf2jV https://t.co/s0bOTEUCPT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

EMA approved a record 28 biosimilars in 2024 for cancer, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, and immune-related diseases like plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease https://t.co/MJLvzjwYHX https://t.co/W5aoKwIPVQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Patient Education handout on Raynaud’s Phenomenon https://t.co/Ug2MmtexgU https://t.co/kk9Klxhl8x
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

A study in Alberta, Canada, examining the travel burdens for rheumatoid arthritis patients, found a median travel time of 13 minutes to reach general practitioners and 34 minutes to see rheumatologists. The research highlighted significant disparities between rural and urban https://t.co/2kYDrk16O8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Obstacles to the current use of DMARDs from patients, discussed during regular appointments, were mainly associated with adverse effects and worries about effectiveness and long-term usage. Ongoing attention to these patients' concerns is crucial for improving treatment https://t.co/hWYGiPIsBb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Diagnosing PMR is easy before Pred initiation; but after steroids NO SO. Before Pred, PMR Dx from non-PMR (median probabilities 7.8 vs 2.8) w/ 86% sensitivity/83% specificity. After Pred Dx probability of PMR dropped to 1.0 w/ sensitivity 3.5%; not much better w/ Pred D/C https://t.co/q4TceeFByc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia
A randomized, sham-controlled trial has shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduced pain in fibromyalgia for up to 8 weeks; while analgesic effects waned, functional improvements remained https://t.co/nJdSrUcizo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)