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Pre-ACR25 (10.24.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and info reports the day before ACR 2025
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Did Hydroxychloroquine Reduce COVID-19 Mortality?
A multicenter study investigated the association between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage and COVID-19 mortality among hospitalized patients from multiple medical centers in China. The analysis focused on dose effects of HCQ on mortality.
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Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.
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Abstract 0806
Compared to belimumab, Anifrolumab associated with:
↑ infection risk b (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.05–1.88)
↑ herpes zoster (HR 3.94) & COVID-19 (HR 1.66)
No diff in mortality or hospital use
📈 3-yr infection: 38.3% vs 21.3%
@RheumNow #ACR25
Akhil Sood MD, MS AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
Colchicine Ineffective in Long COVID
Management of long COVID has been perplexing with symptoms having functional and possibly inflammatory origins. Colchicine has been studied in long COVID and failed to improve functional capacity, respiratory function, or inflammatory https://t.co/9E3dvUFqJP
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
UK remission rates for early RA have been stablebut there are variations. DAS study of 13 752 RA, 35% in remission - but 28% (London) to 40% (East England). Delays in referral since COVID-19. Less remission w/ youth, female, Black, hi DAS28, delayed DMARDs. longer Sxs duration https://t.co/57QlnEqBci
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Did Hydroxychloroquine Reduce COVID-19 Mortality?
A multicenter study investigated the association between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage and COVID-19 mortality among hospitalized patients from multiple medical centers in China. The analysis focused on dose effects of HCQ on https://t.co/BuHoMDwpuP
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
There is no criteria for infection-induced Antiphospholipid syndr (APS). aPL & aCL abs have been reported w/ COVID, HCV, HIV, EBV, varicella-zoster, & CMV. infections may induce transient aPL positivity without over APS, but may precipitate APS or catastrophic APS (CAPS).
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ILD Begins (8.29.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from https://t.co/V10S4oVFsv. This week news on vaccines, safety of acetaminophen and more.
https://t.co/YlOK3X4hkW https://t.co/9cgcDn0xab
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
COVID Vaccine study in rheum pts on JAKi (n 22) or TNFi (n 16) Showing 50% response in JAKi and 81% w/ TNFi Rx. Pt PBMCs were stim by SAR-CoV2 spike proteins & CD4+ T cells IFNγ production as Pos. response. Do JAKi impair COVID-19 Vax responses? https://t.co/dZAktwrytf https://t.co/mjkBfcGcfD
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
New CDC report confirms a record number of Measles cases in the USA, now at 1,319 (in 39 states), the highest since 1992. National cases are more than 4.5 times higher than the entirety of last year, which had an estimated 285 cases reported. https://t.co/KkqQu9C4cO https://t.co/bND6hPDUNA
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Short full read review of the history, safety and use of Corticosteroids in Respiratory Medicine (including use in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), ARDS, septic shock, ILD, COPD/asthma, COVID-19, Cancer, Sarcoid & IPF. https://t.co/aKMAT8IhLm https://t.co/RopoNnYJ6Z
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA adds new warning for "myocarditis" to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines (prev mainly assoc w/ Moderna) - risk is 8 per 1 million people for those on 2023-2024 COVID shots, most common in males ages 12 to 24. Generally good outcomes seen. https://t.co/QZbTRaKGH1 https://t.co/1cAUw73eqF
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Pregnancy outcomes in autoinflammatory disease
To address this, a French multi-centre prospective pregnancy observational cohort was set up, to analyse disease activity, treatment, pregnancy outcomes, delivery, and neonatal health. The work – presented at the 2025 annual https://t.co/oQ7A2bnDmO
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Imagine #Barcelona with an additional 8 degrees in summer 🔥 🔥🔥
Session: Disaster Medicine - Impact of climate change, heat, and global insecurity
#EULAR2025
@RheumNow https://t.co/1TqlBJtoZD
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade ( View Tweet)
RA-related premature mortality highest in American Indians--> 3.6x odds of death in <65 vs White peers, w/ no improvement over 22 yrs. COVID widened the gap. Need to address structural & social drivers of early death in RA, & wider health disparities.
@RheumNow #EULAR2025 #OP0197
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
Metanalysis of 12 trials, 12 902 adults hospitalized w/ COVID betw May, 2020 & March, 2022 (7 Bari, 3 Tofa, 2 Ruxo). Fewer deaths in those on JAKi (11·7% vs 13·2%; aOR 0·67 [95% CI 0·55–0·82]; high-certainty evidence); 39 fewer deaths/1000. JAKs had less mechanical ventilation https://t.co/QSMRo3RcRr
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA approved the chikungunya virus vaccine (Ixchiq) in 11/23, but recently announced caution and pause use while it investigates Postmarketing Safety Reports of 17 SAE (cardiac & neurologic) & 2 deaths. 6 SAE in the USA, elderly w/ chronic med conditions. ~80K doses of Ixchiq https://t.co/RED8Xab0Ir
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Soluble CD13 (sCD13) has pro-inflammatory effects & is elevated in severe COVID-19. sCD13 is chemotactic, angiogenic, & arthritogenic. In COVID-19, sCD13 was assoc w/ sCD13 severity, ethnicity, inflammation markers, NETosis, & vascular injury/thrombosis. https://t.co/2bKY9NtnCD
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
CDC's Committee on Immunization (ACIP) met and recommended:
1. Expand strains for meningococcal vax
2. Lower age for RSV vax > 50y
3. Rec. chikungunya vax for certain travelers
- Flu & Covid Vax to be up next mtg 6/25 https://t.co/jInnR5JSxS https://t.co/PXg0HDLgnL https://t.co/Vro5mbjG9R
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
