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    Infection remains an important threat to patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Mitigating this risk is a core duty of the rheumatologist—one that requires us to actively educate patients and advocate for timely vaccination strategies. This article reviews important highlights on the session, “Prevention and treatment of Infections in rheumatic diseases” during the APLAR 2026 Congress.
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Autologous HCT in Severe Systemic Sclerosis

Jack Cush, MD

An international study reports 60% progression-free survival at 10 years after autologous bone marrow transplantation, adding important evidence on sustained positive clinical outcomes and long-term safety in patients treated for early severe systemic sclerosis.

Three Tips to Stay on Muscarinic Agonists in Sjögren's Disease

Jiha Lee, MD

Resolution of dryness remains a key unmet need for patients with Sjögren disease (SjD), as highlighted by the Sjögren SIG session “How to treat SjD” on the final day of APLAR 2026. A rheumatology talk in the session noted that recent phase III trials of ianalumab, dazodalibep and telitacicept improved ESSDAI scores, with only some evidence of benefit for dryness itself. Symptomatic care therefore still carries the load. Masafumi Moriyama, DDS

Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Intra-Articular Injections for Knee OA: Options, Evidence, and no Clear Winner At APLAR 2026 in Seoul, the OA special interest group offered a whirlwind overview of IA injectables from Dr. Gun-il Im. The products fall into three tiers: symptom-modifying, biologic/regenerative https://t.co/jWuinfM2W6

The Concern about Seronegative RA

Jack Cush, MD

A current review of seronegative RA (SNRA) by D’Onofrio, et al in npj Autoimmunity shows the diverse fate of seronegative RA - which can resolve, persist or become refractory. Clearly dedicated trials of SNRA are needed to better predict.

Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Exagen studies 192 established RA pts (383 controls) for Abs: CCP2, RF IgA, RF IgM, PAD4 (IgA, IgG). RA signif assoc w/ CCP2+ (OR 110), RF (>7), PAD4 (3.5-5.9). In CCP neg - only PAD4 IgG (2.87) & RF (2.2) assoc w/ RA, w/ only small Dx gain (ΔAUC 0.02–0.04). https://t.co/isf7aMf24O
Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Spanish Nationwide registry study of 5120 hospitalised #GCA pts (2016-2024) found that 54 (1.1%) Dx / aortic aneurysm (AA) & 41 (0.8%) developed AA on F/U (AAf group). Median time to AA Dx 2.7 yrs. AA Risk was higher in males (RRR 2.42) & smoking w/ GCA (RRR 3.23) https://t.co/eZVGKbOfQt
sheila
@RHEUMarampa
Key messages from Dr. Vaidya’s talk: - Assocn’s of hyperuricemia or gout with MetS shows a bidirectional trend - Causality: MetS as an upstream driver for gout devt Going beyond jt dse & ULT. What addt’l assessments do you do for your gout pts? @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/M6XVoRQ5rz
Jiha Lee
@JihaRheum
Perspective from dentists on SjD dry mouth: muscarinic agonists (pilocarpine, cevimeline) help, but side effects limit use. Two ways to improve it: split pilocarpine dosing (2.5 mg four times daily) and a cevimeline mouth rinse in 6 or more divided doses. #APLAR26 @RheumNow https://t.co/phiLD0qaoR
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