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Mentshlichkeit* (8.7.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and recent journal reports on RheumNow.com.

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Dan.Kastner

A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)

Jack Cush, MD

The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74. The following are declarations, tributes, and memories dedicated to this mensch of a man, titan of science, memorable mentor and humble physician.

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Chikungunya Club Meeting (7.24.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

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Seronegative RA Disease Activity (7.17.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and Gout features from this past week on RheumNow.com.

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Canada.maple.leaf

ICYMI: Updated CRA/SPARCC Recommendations for Axial Spondyloarthritis

Jack Cush, MD

In 2024, the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CMA) and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) published a comprehensive set of 56 treatment recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis. This first update is focused on the reassessment of IL-17i recommendations.

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ICYMI: 2025 Update: EULAR Recommendations on Rheumatoid Arthritis Management

Jack Cush, MD

The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has updated their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management recommendations, notably with fewer recommendations (total of 9, down from 11 in 2022 version), by merging and removing previous recommendations.

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2026 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis

ACR

New and updated clinical guidelines released today provide comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) for both adults and children.

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Do You Zoster Vaccinate? (6.19.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and best ways to review EULAR 2026.

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EULAR meeting room

A Disease Seeking Its Identity: Peripheral SpA, PsA, and the SPARTACUS Evidence

Nelly Ziade

For years, peripheral spondyloarthritis has been managed with a cautious, stepwise approach: start with NSAIDs, escalate to conventional synthetic DMARDs, and only reach for biologics when everything else fails. The SPARTACUS trial, presented at EULAR 2026 in London, challenges that paradigm head-on. The results make a compelling case for rethinking when, not just whether, to deploy TNF inhibitors.

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Risk Option Decision

Increased VTE Risk with Baricitinib

Jack Cush, MD

The RA-BRIDGE and RA-BRANCH studies were presented as a late-breaking abstract at EULAR 2026. This was the pooled results from two large FDA post-marketing commitment safety trials — RA-BRIDGE (global) and RA-BRANCH (US-only) — comparing baricitinib at 2 mg and 4 mg daily against TNF inhibitors (etanercept or adalimumab) in RA patients specifically enriched for venous thromboembolic event risk factors.

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EULAR 2026 Rheumatology RoundUp

Jack Cush, MD

It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.

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JAMA Case Quiz - A 57 yoF w/ #RA has a new vesicular rash. 9mos prior ETN change to ADA. Rash (painful, pruritic) started 2 wks ago. Exam: PIP swelling, & ulcerated plaques on neck, chest, & erythroderma on hands, CRP 15.0 mg/L , ESR 111 mm/h. What would you do? order?

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

3 Rx are FDA approved for hidradenitis supprativa (secukinumab, adalimumab, bimekizumab). New JAK1i Povorcitinib in STOP-HS1 and STOP-HS2 ph 3 PCTs (608/619 pts). Povo showed HiSCR50 ~42% vs PBO 29% @wk12. AE: acne, pharyngitis https://t.co/n3FJUOjNuo https://t.co/9YAmPqW44z

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUM SURVEY>> Which Gout drugs lower the risk of cardiovascular death? Answer here: https://t.co/1OY1B3ET7B https://t.co/MRJP5OOtXb

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
20% sample of elder RA Medicare pts (2009-2022) on TNFi who either stopped or tapered TNFi found 38% sustained de-escalation, while 62% re-escalated within a medianof 164. Re-escalation was more likely in Blacks, Hispanic/other, with a lower comorbidity burden. https://t.co/rEB3VdOii2
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Kyoto U. cohort study of 55 relapsing polychondritis pts (503 Pt-yrs) Rx w/ TNFi, IL-6i or none -- Crude relapse rates were 46.9/100PYs NoBio, 22.4 TNFi, & 12.5 IL-6Ri. Adjusted relapses signif lower w/ TNFi (IRR 0.4) & IL-6Ri (IRR 0.2) vs no biologic. Estimates for hospitalised https://t.co/h6IcVWjqfp
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
True or False: Current guidelines for peripheral SpA recommend initiating treatment with TNF inhibitors before trying NSAIDs or conventional synthetic DMARDs. See if you got it right in this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/6uiqJjYUVo https://t.co/9hHFjaGUdt

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Strike First: TNFi vs. Step-Up Therapy in Early Peripheral SpA The approach to treating peripheral SpA has remained the same for a long time. The guidelines recommend starting with NSAIDs, escalating to conventional synthetic DMARDs, typically sulfasalazine or methotrexate, and https://t.co/iEqzp6FStv
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Who does better in active #RA b/tsDMARD naive? Pt choice TNFi or JAKi OR Pt randomized to TNFI or JAKi? Strangely or not PT choice did better ✅with satisfaction ~maybe expected ✅better retention on chosen #Rx 🤔unexpected another arm in #RCTS?” #EULAR2026 @RheumNow OP0204 https://t.co/7qx5Rqq6a7

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Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
A bridge to uncertainty? large #RCT of #baricitinib V #TNFi In Active #RA w #DVT/#VTE risk factor(s) Sl more VTE, #infection #SIE on #Bar NO increase #MACE Sl ⬆️#malignancy #VTE rate exceeded upper limit of a priori #CI So is this good news or not? #LB0009 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/CIfU7TL2TE

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Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
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