Recent News
A systematic review demonstrated that smoking, obesity, fibromyalgia, and depression are significantly associated with difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T-RA).Read Article
Metabolic Syndrome Predicts Cardiovascular Outcomes in Inflammatory Arthritis
Chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. While metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent, how much it contributes to adverse clinical outcomes is unclear.
Read Article
JAMA Review of acute and chronic Hepatitis B infection. "All ...on immunosuppressive Rx should be tested for HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBc Ab. HBV DNA measured in HBsAg+ & those w/ isolated Ab HBcAg https://t.co/LTecQlSMX3 https://t.co/cq3CuIuMKX
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
By @RheumattDoc
#Psoriasis and nail changes
#PsA #PsoriaticArthritis #enthesitis #dactylitis https://t.co/rxH2zrGBwC
Dr Gurdeep S Dulay @gurdeep_dulay ( View Tweet)
U.S. spending on prescription drugs in 2025 jumped 13% to $915 billion=projected to surpass $1 trillion in 2026, according to ASHP/USA today. One major reason– the popularity of the weight-loss and diabetes drugs tirzepatide and semaglutide. https://t.co/EQ9yFCCdBp https://t.co/cig1jNp6NF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Steroids
Corticosteroids remain a cornerstone of rheumatologic therapy — rapidly effective but chronically dangerous, as their power to suppress inflammation through inhibition of prostaglandins, lipoxygenase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and proteases comes at the cost of a https://t.co/fKGgYF3yWA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RCT 120 mod-severe hip OA (KL 2-4) pts Rx w/ THA +rehab or exercise. @12 mos. THA had signif. better pain, function & HRQoL vs exercise program alone (WOMAC total -30.9 vs -3.7). (38% of exercise/conservative grp needed THA) https://t.co/6vvRAr6isf https://t.co/VOYgS3PPwr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (April 2026)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a collection of Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, other CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy and side https://t.co/SlCGA364gj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
COVID Virus Persistence with DMARD Use
Drugs commonly used to treat systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) may prolong SARS-CoV-2 circulation after COVID-19 infection in patients with these conditions, with researchers documenting substantially increased viral antigen https://t.co/szeILIbmjF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Among 1074 #PsA tested annually, RF positivity was found in 16.1% overall (5.1% RF+ at baseline). RF+ rediced odds of MDA (OR 0.53) w/ incr risk of bDMARD discontinuation (OR 2.65) https://t.co/AmG6hkWABW https://t.co/MYhkfxAh0r
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Targeting the Safety of Avacopan
The future of avacopan is up in the air. In April, the FDA issued a drug safety warning, previously requesting that Amgen to pull its rare disease drug Tavneos from the market. Now, there appears more pressure to remove it from the market. https://t.co/Otl0WQaOqo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. “
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
True or False: In a meta-analysis, RA was associated with a significantly increased risk of osteoporotic fractures in female patients but not in male patients. See if you got it right in the latest RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/HCxOwRl2Tq. https://t.co/O9WRKQKmu4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Switch or Cycle - Upadacitinib vs Adalimumab in Refractory RA
After the first tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure, patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) responded by switching to upadacitinib, compared to cycling to a second TNFi, adalimumab. https://t.co/Cml3Z7ZyQP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Knee pain: JAMA review
- 5% PCP visits knee pain
- Knee OA ~654 million worldwide
- Patellofemoral pain: <40 yrs & physically active; pain on squat
- Meniscal tears in 12% adults (McMurray 61% sensitive; 84% specific; Joint line tender 83% sensitive; 83% specific) https://t.co/2fdpl464mb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Prospective study of 305 Consecutive newly diagnosed axSpA pts (55% male; Dx delay 6 yrs; 75% B27+). 56% w/ r-axSpA more male w/ hi CRP. nr-axSpA had more inflam LBP, +FHx SpA. SpA Dx made without sacroiliitis in 12%; only 2/38 later developed sacroiliitis https://t.co/xPlGwZ7Kjk https://t.co/2TBQALvxsG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) approved in the US for subcutaneous self-administration as a new autoinjector for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus based on SC-TULIP study. Presumeably, all prior CRL issues resolved to FDA satisfaction... https://t.co/ZtZmJLcGYa https://t.co/4B2YDpFaep
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Which autoimmune condition carries the highest relative risk for lymphoma? Test your knowledge in the latest RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/TBlB4pmnKa https://t.co/sx8fpdHgHN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Review of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease plaqued by systemic comorbidities that increase morbidity, mortality, and treatment complexity. Obesity is a significant contributor to psoriatic disease. https://t.co/R1Uutdjcvz
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Targeting the Safety of Avacopan
The future of avacopan is up in the air. In April, the FDA issued a drug safety warning, previously requesting that Amgen to pull its rare disease drug Tavneos from the market. Now, there appears more pressure to remove it from the market. https://t.co/4PyIoqwNIL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the Blog
Podcasts
Great Lectures; Great Presentations
DERM on RheumNow (April 2026)-
Follow the Money (4.23.2026)
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Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)
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
