Recent News
A real world analysis of drug use in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients shows that despite intending to taper patients off glucocorticoids (GC) by 24 months, 75% remained on GCs for ≥ 48 months.Read Article
Scleroderma-Specific Autoantibodies in Early Systemic Sclerosis
Prognostication is tenous in early scleroderma, especially in those with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). dcSSc has associated with substantial morbidity and disease-specific mortality. Analysis of an early SSc registry shows that anti-RNA polymerase III autoantibodies in early SSc were associated a higher risk of worse phenotypes and clinical outcomes.
FORWARD is a Phase 4, OL trial in 51 refractory uncontrolled gout pts Rx w/ MTX plus higher doses pegloticase (16 or 30mg) IV q4wk. At 24-wk Responses similar 68% or 73%. ~31% of responders later had SUA >6. Confusing anti-Drug Ab results in this trial?? https://t.co/udjE7sXDm5 https://t.co/F8VGDAyJzb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Nouf Al hemmadi @NoufAhmedAlham2 ( View Tweet)
Study of 119 Rheum pts on GLP-1 Rx (65% T2DM, 35% obesity; mean BMI 35). @ 12 mos wt loss −7.7 kg & 56% improved ≥1 BMI category. Signif decr in A1c, FBS, lipids, LDL, TG, ESR & CRP. GLP-1RAs useful cardiometabolic benefits https://t.co/fdNtvGu8Vb~ https://t.co/EdAqXfsjW0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Single center, DBRPCT of tofacitinib 11 mg/d vs PBO in 100 knee OA pts (KL Gr 1-2); At wk 12 there was NO significant differences betw groups in VAS Pain, or other outcomes-WOMAC, Oxford Knee Score, EQ-5D-5L, analgesic use https://t.co/VDtgY7hTm4 https://t.co/PveouQbI8r
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Endocrine Society - State of Obesity Science and Management
The Endocrine Society has published a scientific statement reframing obesity as a heterogeneous, chronically dysregulated fat-mass disorder, the biology of which is being tested effectively by GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists. Is this precision-medicine? We await long-term safety data, while assessing the outcomes in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders.
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Lifestyle and Incretin Therapy Advice for Rheumatologists
As GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists become standard co-management tools for obese patients with RA, PsA, axSpA, and gout, this JAMA Insights perspective by Kushner, et al. reframes lifestyle counseling as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy - a reversal of the traditional model. This has with direct implications for how we counsel obese patients we start or co-manage on these agents.
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Phenotypic cluster analysis of 134 CPPD pts from COLCHICORT & CHRONIC-CPPD European cohorts ID 4 Grps: 1) C1 monoarticular recurrent flares, older, W, ^CRP; 2) C2 monoarticular w persistent arthritis; 3) C3 polyarthritis lower CRP; 4) C4 polyarticular (spine/shoulder( & recurrent https://t.co/ghMCmDLCki
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
True or False: The TriNetX retrospective study found that JAK inhibitors significantly increased VTE risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing hip or knee replacement compared to TNF inhibitors.
Check your knowledge in the latest RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/LHFv1P6XZe.
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
CLOAK study: 3 mos DBRPCT of Colchicine vs PBO (no NSAID) in 120 symptomatic KOA (KL gr 2/3) shows no benefit in VAS pain index knee after 3 mos. (but COL pts had signif change in some biomarkers hsCRP, β-NGF (p < 0.05); PGE2, IL-1ra, IL-8, and VEGF (p < 0.16). https://t.co/MPgLpr7LPP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheum Survey>> Which obesity treatment has the greatest safety concern(s)? Click here to respond>> https://t.co/jDpVe7u9Pu https://t.co/RNftdQlU1N
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
17 Sept EMA CHMP recommended marketing authorisation for secukinumab (Cosentyx) in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. BUT- not yet EMA approved in the EU. https://t.co/ZGUSbw06vX https://t.co/EqRwpT8Sxo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Join us for Tuesday Nite Rheumatology on September 22 for:
🔴 Obesity Treatment & Safety
Experts will tackle:
• GLP-1/GIP therapies
• Lifestyle & bariatric interventions
• Treatment selection & safety
• Cost & compounding concerns
• Sarcopenia & bone health
• The future https://t.co/YNEsGofRR9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Observational study of 63,215 neuropsychiatric (NP) pts showed semaglutide signif lowered NP events over 2yrs (vs metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhib);unrelaed to wt loss. Less substance, mood anxiety, CNS atrophies, neuromuscular, eating/sleep & personality/impulse-control https://t.co/tbuvLRK3QE
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EBR Journal Club: Obexelimab in IgG4-Related Disease (INDIGO)
The EBR Journal Club Companion applies my adapted JAMA approach to critical appraisal to an important rheumatology RCT. Each review covers four domains: Does this apply to my patients? What is the risk of bias? How https://t.co/rH7BY21FvF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Added IVIG is Effective in Myositis
A small randomized controlled trial demonstrates that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) added to cortocosteroids lead to greater and faster improvements in patients with newly diagnosed IIMs.
https://t.co/XLrvLSoOic https://t.co/xhjPBXLxiC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
True or False: According to a metanalysis of 87 studies, higher BMI and smoking were linked to reduced methotrexate efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis. Check your knowledge in the latest RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/LHFv1P6XZe.
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Discussing Weight Loss: 3 Minute Script
Dr. Jack Cush's 3 Minute Script as discussed in his Introducing Weight Loss video.
https://t.co/JRWAPc5if5 https://t.co/jI65VzTIfs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Chinese 52 wk study of XKH004, a novel, SC, humanized anti-17A/F in 323 active AS pts Rx q4 wks vs PBO. @ Wk 16, XKH004 was superior for ASAS40 (45.4% vs 19.4%; P<0.001), improved to 66% by wk 52. https://t.co/f7w41m4QZy https://t.co/LELo52zUb7
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Video
From the Blog
Podcasts
The Four PIllars of Weight Loss Part 2
The Four Pillars of Weight Loss Part 1-
Obesity QD Clinics Part Two
Early RA Referral Clinics Work (9.18.2026)
Therapeutic Updates
The Four Pillars of Weight Loss
RheumNow
Watch our 'Four Pillars of Weight Loss' series as part of this month's The Obesity Imperative campaign. Videos include: 'Building A Multidisciplinary Program for Obesity and Arthritis Management' and "Nutrition, Weight Management and Rheumatic Disease".
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Label update: Structural damage progression in active PsA
Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Medical Affairs
Listen to Dr. Catherine Bakewell’s review of clinical data from a recent label update.
Read Post
Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
A JAKi After Primary or Secondary TNFi Nonresponse in RA (SELECT-SWITCH)
Daily Gem
Hand osteoarthritis risk also rises with obesity — it’s more than mechanics.
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