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Treating During Pregnancy (11.14.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal articles, news and guidelines from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Can EMR Treatment Suggestions Improve Decision Making?
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EurekAlert!
In a new study involving 402 U.S.-based primary care physicians, researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Sydney identified a “sweet spot” in clinical decision-making. By presenting just the right number of treatment alternatives in the electronic health record (EHR) system, physicians were more likely to choose a high-quality alternative rather than defaulting to the status quo.
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Hospital Mortality in Dermatomyositis
A cohort study shows that hospitalized patients with dermatomyositis have higher in-hospital mortality in the presence of active rash, interstitial lung disease, and elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio at admission.
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SLE Prospect. Observational Study of 826 SLE pts over 3 yr for outcomes& IFN signature (IFNGS). 71% were IFNGS-high. IFNGS-high pts were younger. on GC w/ Hi SLEDAI-2K. SLEDAI-2K decreased over time, regardless of IFNGS. By 36mos, 45% had ≥1 flare; higher in IFNGS. https://t.co/CT70CvnOQ9
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Robinson et al has published that Epstein-Barr virus infects and reprograms autoreactive B cells to drive the systemic autoimmune response in SLE https://t.co/vjpvILrJOt https://t.co/JfcycqHvhl
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20-40% of Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is associated with other autoimmune diseases - lead by autoimmune thyroiditis, type 1 DM, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, & celiac (but less so for RA, PBC, SLE, Sjögren syndrome, vitiligo). AIH Dx Abs include ANA, ASMA, LKM1. https://t.co/FphWZwwohx
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Sjogren’s disease: two drugs with positive trials Sjogren’s disease: two drugs with positive trials
After several failures of therapies in Phase 3 trials of Sjogren’s disease (SjD) over many years, all hope is not lost! At #ACR25, not one but two drugs presented their efficacy https://t.co/tGwUrLMZEI
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Beyond malignancy, look out for LICATS with CAR-T
CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy took the centre stage in 2022 where data pertaining to a successful case series of 5 patients with refractory SLE were published by Prof Schett’s group. Since then, this area https://t.co/JbTB033gti
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GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in PsA: Mortality and MACE
Dr. Antoni Chan reports on abstract 0849 (Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Psoriatic Arthritis), presented at #ACR25.
https://t.co/XNyt3UIjgp https://t.co/RUnZCjXF9T
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Tocilizumab Beats Methotrexate in GCA
Dr. Mike Putman reports on abstract 0891 (MEthotrexate versus TOcilizumab for treatment of Giant cell Arteritis (METOGiA trial): a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial), presented at the #ACR25.
https://t.co/IeCWZGupqR https://t.co/SCF1guorMs
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Putting Steroid Tapering into Practice in SLE
Drs. Yuz Yusof and Ed Vital discuss abstract 1526 (Guidance For Corticosteroid Tapering In Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results From An International Delphi Consensus Project) presented at #ACR25. https://t.co/nqMyy3qNto
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Taking a closer look: B-Cell depletion beyond the blood
At #ACR25, we have seen an exciting wave of cellular and immune therapies reshaping the landscape of autoimmune disease treatment. Following the landmark case series by the Erlangen group, multiple cellular therapies have https://t.co/GIrPwlGKE2
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Having #RA does not increase mortality in CA pts Rx w/ immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). 301 Veterans w/ RA & 2114 nonRA controls were compared: all-cause mortality was similar (HR 1.09; 0.94, 1.25). Most deaths from cancer (90% & 91%), but rarely from infection (<1%) https://t.co/gsXie6HpTu
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SLE Prospect. Observational Study of 826 SLE pts over 3 yr for outcomes& IFN signature (IFNGS). 71% were IFNGS-high. IFNGS-high pts were younger. on GC w/ Hi SLEDAI-2K. SLEDAI-2K decreased over time, regardless of IFNGS. By 36mos, 45% had ≥1 flare; higher in IFNGS. https://t.co/c3zHT2GfR5
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
IL-1 Inhibition in CPPD
Controlled clinical trials in patients with calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD) are scant. Now a metanalysis provides evidence that anakinra, an interleukin-1 inhibitor, is a promising alternative for patients with acute CPPD flares. https://t.co/7RkE2i6sYY
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DAHLIAS study - Nipocalimab in Sjögren's Disease
Nipocalimab, a neonatal Fc receptor blocker that reduces circulating IgG and autoantibodies, was shown to be effective in a phase 2 trial in patients with severe Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/tpoh8YF0F1 https://t.co/jFB1RKOqDV
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Robinson et al has published that Epstein-Barr virus infects and reprograms autoreactive B cells to drive the systemic autoimmune response in SLE https://t.co/vjpvILrJOt https://t.co/HepyZrYW5L
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mesothelin as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis? Mesothelin is elevated in RA & animal models & promothes osteoclast differentiation & bony destruction. Blocking mesothelin has the potential to reduce bone destruction. https://t.co/WRXG91AqmJ https://t.co/hMgddPXhxG
Links:
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Day 2 Recap: #ACR25 Highlights
Join RheumNow Faculty Drs. David Liew, Antoni Chan, Mrinalini Dey, and Jack Cush as they discuss highlights and key takeaways from the Day 2 Recap.
https://t.co/aBxLuDhIMC https://t.co/q75eHf45Gt
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Putting Steroid Tapering into Practice in SLE
Drs. Yuz Yusof and Ed Vital discuss abstract 1526 (Guidance For Corticosteroid Tapering In Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results From An International Delphi Consensus Project) presented at #ACR25. https://t.co/TtDC1pnaJr
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
