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New JAK inhibitors in the axSpA treatment landscape
At EULAR 2026, two large phase 3 studies highlight that the JAK story in axSpA is still evolving rapidly, with different selectivity profiles and expanding global development programs continuing to push the field forward.
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MRI as a novel biomarker in lupus
The clinical abstract sessions on diagnostic tools in lupus showcased interesting studies, including the use of MRI as potential non-invasive biomarkers.
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Lung US for RA-ILD screening
Comparison with diagnostic scores
147 RA pts (68 ILD on HRCT)
Asymptomatic cohort
Sens 95.4% Spe 77.7%
Risk scores alone performed poorly.
Combining US + risk scores boosted sensitivity to 100% → promising low-cost screening tool alongside HRCT. https://t.co/7C4zClaxry
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Can AI read 20 years of RA X-rays?
And how much faster/better than us?
20 years ESPOIR cohort 7500+ joints
RADAR algorithm
94–95% accuracy compared with expert readers
99% spe 93% sens
#OP0344 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/8hFHCY4SaY
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Can AI spot RA inflammation from a thermal hand scan?
Cohort 100 RA pts
AI model analysing thermal images detected US PD+ wrist inflammation AUC 0.87
Main features wrist temperature & heat-pattern
With all due validation could this be the next mass screening tool for RA? https://t.co/2AzXj5yQJI
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
The axSpA classification has been revised with the 2025 ASAS SPARTAN criteria. 5 abstracts at #EULAR2026 Abstr OP0236, OP0100, OP0239, POS0190 and POS1341.
The single most important change in the 2025 criteria: MRI is now the highest-weighted variable and what counts as a https://t.co/xg4R4xRH2D
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
SPARTAN-SSR: New quantitative criteria: BME in ≥3 consecutive slices OR any two of (BME, Erosion, Fat lesion each in ≥3 SIJ quadrants) or ankylosis in ≥3 halves achieves 88-96% sensitivity and 90-98% specificity across 3 cohorts. Precision #axSpA imaging. Abstr OP0100
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
Which imaging test has the highest carbon footprint???
Think wisely before prescribing 🩻
#EULAR2026
@RheumNow https://t.co/36Ej8smWRd
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade ( View Tweet)
#OP0350 UK Biobank analysis found widespread white matter microstructural abnormalities on diffusion MRI in RA, esp in fronto-subcortical & transcallosal pathways, despite no cortical volume/thickness differences on T1 MRI. #EULAR2026 @RheumNow
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
Starting the “Imaging innovation in RA” session with #OP0343: Singapore investigators developed an AI-based thermography model to detect RA wrist inflammation using thermal hand images, achieving an AUC of 0.87 against ultrasound power doppler as reference. #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/2v39E6VOWB
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
This study describes the SIJ differences in axSpA vs. non-axSpA pts with CBP
axSpA: BME w/ widespread distribution & inflamm⬇️ over time
non-axSpA: BME rare or limited only to ventral & middle superior sacrum
Findings may improve MRI ID of axSpa
AbsPOS0193 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/7eiHQOOIWs
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
PET-derived parameters in #PsA correlated with DAPSA, CRP and patient pain. Angiogenesis imaging may be a complementary biomarker of overall disease burden Abstr#OP068 #EULAR2026 #Imaging
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
One of the main changes in the 2025 update on the EULAR guidelines for imaging in SpA is that of MRI replacing CR as the initial imaging modality while CR & low dose CT of SIJs became alternative modalities in the absence of or if with CIs to MRI
AbsPOS0682 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/bj2NWKnIGf
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
#OP0344 RADAR, AI-automated scoring of RA radiographic damage, was applied to 20yr ESPOIR imaging data. Strong performance vs expert readers, w binary classification accuracy up to 0.95 & ICC 0.86. Supports AI-assisted long-term structural assessment in RA. #EULAR2026 @RheumNow
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
🔍 Do posterior element lesions progress over 10 years in axSpA?
Data from the DESIR inception cohort (n=320) says RARELY!
But baseline PE inflammation raises facet ankylosis risk ~70-fold
#POS0189 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/PdwlPGjKqK
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade ( View Tweet)
🧲 Does GUS+GOL combo beat GUS alone on MRI in PsA?
YES for joints - AFFINITY Phase 2a RCT: greater MRI inflammation reduction in 91pts
#OP0186 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/9eIS6lh7WN
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade ( View Tweet)
What defines MRI indicative of axSpA?
This systematic lit review show adapting more stringent cutoffs in BME (>=4 SIJ quads, erosion >=3 quads, fat >=5 SIJ quads) & combined BME + structural lesions inc specificity.
Time for updated definitions?
AbsPOS0866 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/gkVbcOAiD3
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
#OP0236: a look at the revised 2025 ASAS-SPARTAN classification criteria for axSpA from the global CLASSIC cohort. The updated criteria achieved 79.5% sensitivity & 90.4% specificity, with MRI & radiographic sacroiliitis remaining central to classification. #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/rVIqyCmB8K
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
🔍 Best imaging outcome for #axSpA structural change?
SPACE cohort (n=332): MRI-SIJ fat lesions most sensitive to change
#OP0103 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/His1BGYmEW
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade ( View Tweet)
🖥️ Can MRI-based synthetic CT detect spinal progression in #axSpA?
COPECARE (n=25, 1yr): sCT matches ldCT with no radiation
#OP0104 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/pe9wSMXXZQ
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade ( View Tweet)
