Recent News
Read ArticleA retrospective target trial emulations has shown that low-dose aspirin (ASA) given with a giant cell arteritis (GCA) diagnosis is associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), but a higher risk of GI bleeding.
Weight-loss drugs may affect joints directly
EulrekAlert!
A new study from Aarhus University shows that the hormone GLP-1, which is mimicked in medication for diabetes and weight loss, is present in joint fluid. In the long term, this may open up new treatments for arthritis.
Do patients with chronic pain have double the rates of smoking compared to those without pain? Take this week's RheumIQ quiz to find out.
https://t.co/rmB55KC7Zh https://t.co/ms3G9uBMd5
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
IN 2025 DTC TV ad spending by top 10 incr to $2.67 billion (up from $2.1 B). Rheum Drugs in top 3:
1. Skyrizi $440 million
2. Tremfya $431 M
3. Rinvoq $376 M
https://t.co/EsWgUqUy9Z https://t.co/zVHdVA2puZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mevalonate kinase deficiency (AKA hyper-IgD syndr-HIDS) is a rare autosomal recessive autoinflammatory dz of the MVK gene w/ exaggerated innate immunity & incr IL-1β production. Usually Dx in kids, milder forms of periodic fever syndrome have been seen in adults. https://t.co/0hAIz4JgY3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Does monotherapy work? network meta-analysis of 31 RCTs, 13 csDMARDs, Leflunomide, SSZ & gold were better than placebo & equal to MTX regarding annual xray progression scores. Evidence in favor BUT failed to study monoRx vs Combo Rx https://t.co/eHdRPAcnkd https://t.co/1odwJjyL6A
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ACR Backs the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act
The ACR thanked lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives for introducing the bipartisan Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2025 (H.R. 8163), legislation designed to stabilize Medicare payments for physicians and https://t.co/15xU3DGD34
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
In this https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR 2026 podcast, Dr. Kristin Demoruelle explores the mucosal origins of RA and implications.
🎧 Listen here: https://t.co/ehPLdB4byb
#Rheumatology #Autoimmunity #RNL2026 https://t.co/nLEPM3REi4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Adjunctive Prednisolone for Kawasaki Disease
An NEJM study has shown that glucocorticoids provide no added benefit when added to standard primary treatment in Kawasaki disease patients.
https://t.co/dS1uwufh69 https://t.co/wpxyOYXp8l
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Leeds study of 63 pts w/ palindromic rheumatism (PR) progressed to Persistent IA (PIA) @ median 13.4 mos, hands predominating across flares. PIA developed in joints involved in PR flares in 71% of pts. @RA Dx, PR onset pts had signif higher swollen joints(4.1 vs 3.2) https://t.co/g2vjfVjDlK
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Gabapentinoid use 2008-2018: worldwide there was an annual incr of +17.2% (from 4.2/d to 18.3/d per 10K pop. Highest gaba use in high income countries, 6X higher than lower income (40/d vs 6.1/d) https://t.co/jXjxNj1Uyz https://t.co/GmQJ3UGGw9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retrospective observational study of IPAF (ILD w/ autoimmune) pts - from Mt Sinai ILD registry 791 - 14 Rx w/ rituximab vs 19 not. Betw group outcomes same: PFTs, O2 use, Infx, Resp admissions, mortality. RTX group recv more immunosuppressives. https://t.co/sle4a0JOFL https://t.co/rS69epQiif
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A LESSON FOR GC OVERUSE: Inappropriate PPI use was Twice as successful w/ reduced w/ GP & Pt-facing intervention (15 vs 7%) vs usual care or GP-only intervention. Study of 1498 GPs, 34K pts https://t.co/QWW0VYVpzU https://t.co/X3V6NMawq2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Potential new mechanism of MTX Effx - MTX polyglutamates accumulates in monocytes by D5, modulates transcriptional signature “non-classical monocyte”-assoc genes by Wk4, & predicts MTX responses https://t.co/0HtvWOczba https://t.co/oIs4V34hw3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Malignancies Not Increased with Biologic Therapies
The risk of malignancy in RA patients receiving biologic agents was evaluated by metanalysis of RCTs and found no significant increased risk of malignancy compared with other DMARDs or with placebo.
https://t.co/ZEO4jP5RwA https://t.co/C1YeTSh7ZN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Faculty Panel Q&A
This expert panel from https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR 2026 brings together leading faculty to address real-world challenges in RA care, offering practical insights you can apply immediately in practice.
🎧 Listen here: https://t.co/LOiUuia852 https://t.co/REvpPJv0O8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
TRACE study in 90 active axSpA, biologic-naïve, Rx w/ secukinumab 150 mg; @wk16 ASDAS remission in 30 (35%)& 55 incr SEC to 300 mg. By wk 24, 22% of 300 mg achieved ASDAS remission; but without signif change in MRI inflamm (SPARCC). Most MRI changes in 1st 4wks https://t.co/pMMtrxxDLh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Still's Disease Update
Arthritis Research & Therapy has published an overarching review of Still's disease, claiming it is a single acquired, complex autoinflammatory disease in which both pediatric and adult forms share core pathogenic mechanisms, genetic associations, and https://t.co/8ctddvIq7k
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Simulation cost-effectiveness/QOL study compared Rx of psoriasis w/ biologics, phototherapy, or step-therapy Rx. Biologics had best QOL gains; step-therapy Rx similar w/ less variability & lower costs; phototherapy was cost-effective for payors. Pts had highest willingness to pay https://t.co/RyNooKhgQh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Video
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.”
Read Post
Podcasts
Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)-
Top Four and More (4.10.2026)
-
Whats New PsA? (4.3.2026)
PsA GRAPPA Domains- Outcomes With a JAKi
Therapeutic Updates
PsA GRAPPA domains: Outcomes With a JAKi
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Schwartzman and Dr. Ruderman discuss how PsA disease activity across GRAPPA domains may guide treatment decisions, sharing both the evidence for and their experience with a JAKi across domains.
Read Post
Poster Hall
