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Best of 2025: Antifibrotics - A New Class of Therapies in Rheumatology?
Rheumatologists typically manage systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases and associated interstitial lung disease with immunosuppressants. However, evidence increasingly supports also the use of antifibrotic agents in this setting.
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Best of 2025: Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used DMARD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, there is significant intolerance to this drug among adult RA patients - especially at doses above 15 mg per week.
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Nerandomilast FDA Approved for Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis
The FDA has approved nerandomilast (Jascayd), a PDE4b inhibitor, to treat adults with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Nerandomilast was approved to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IFP) in October 2025.
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Best of 2025: Overview of the VEXAS Syndrome
A current systematic review in Rheumatology addresses the clinical features seen in the VEXAS syndrome.
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Three Things to Know About Hiring, Onboarding, and Training APPs
As the utilization of APPs (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in rheumatology becomes more prevalent, here are three things to consider if you are thinking about adding an APP to your practice.
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Hidden in Plain Sight: IBD
As a PA with six years of experience in rheumatology and a background in gastroenterology, today I'm discussing the clinical overlap between inflammatory arthritis—particularly psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathies—and inflammatory bowel https://t.co/Aatc4jkbpH
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Disease Activity Criteria for Adult-Onset Still's Disease: EULAR Points to Consider
EULAR has published a "points to consider" (PtCs) guidance on the development of criteria for the assessment of the disease activity in adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). https://t.co/3FikFiGgxM
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NPs and PAs: Opportunities Outside of the Exam Room
Ben Smith, PA-C, Thomasville, GA, discusses scholarly and leadership opportunities for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as part of RheumNow's "Mission: APP Partners in Care" campaign during the month of December. https://t.co/Vzx6B1z2xJ
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Lancet review of skin cancer risk w/ inflammatory arthritis - both melanoma and Non-melanoma skin cancers are increased in RA & inflammation. Also Package inserts for TNFi say all TNFi Rx pts should have complete skin exams "periodically". Skin cancer screening advised. https://t.co/XddFDe0xh8
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“Absence of proof of efficacy does not equal proof of absence of efficacy”
- Arthur Kavanaugh, MD
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Japanese retrospective study-194 #RA pts Rx w/ JAK inhib (74 vaccinated w/ recombinant zoster (RZV) & 120 Not-Vax). H.zoster lower w/ RZV (4.8/100PY) vs UnVax (7.8/100PY) w/ overall efficacy of 59.1%. RSV Vax pts who got HZ had signif lower lymphocyte #s, higher SDAI & CDAI. https://t.co/vJJRflJ23x
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Austrian 1K Paracelsus cohort study; from 9,665, 296 (3.1%) had RA. CKD prevalence was higher in RA vs controls (11.8% vs. 6.7%, p<0.001). Albuminuria was dominant renal dz in RA (6.8% vs 4.2%, p=0.027), but missed signif after adjustments (OR 1.43; 0.96–2.13) https://t.co/9DnErwT4rX
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FDA has approved nerandomilast (Jascayd) for the treatment of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) in adults, based on the results of the phase 3 FIBRONEER trial. Nerandomilast is PDE4 inhibitor,, in Oct 2026 it was approved for use in diopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) https://t.co/WVrGj7q7hB
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2025 Adult Rheumatology Fellowship Match is Strong (Again)
The ACR announced today that 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match results show rheumatology fellowship positions continuing to fill at high rates. The Match uses a computerized process to pair applicant and https://t.co/ynP46pEKCa
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ACR: New Data Highlights Urgent Need to Address Arthritis Burden
New findings from national U.S. surveys reveal the profound impact of arthritis on millions of adults, especially those facing social and economic challenges. These data will be featured in an upcoming issue of https://t.co/3LlNQ3tx90
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Role of the Nurse in the Care and Management of Rheumatic Diseases - EULAR Review
In 2023, a EULAR subcommittee evaluated the roles of nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in arthritis care per EULAR guidelines. Initially proposed in 2012 and revised in 2018, the scope of https://t.co/w1IOQxcACR
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Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Lupus
A large observational cohort study suggests that monitoring hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels is effective in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a target therapeutic range (for HCQ level monitoring) of https://t.co/7pggMk2pTO
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Five Fractures You Don’t Want to Miss
In orthopedic practice, missing the wrong fracture can significantly alter a patient’s outcome. Certain injuries may appear subtle on initial imaging yet carry serious consequences if not promptly recognized and managed. https://t.co/zyCRdUkMua
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Cases & Guidelines: Tuesday Night Rheumatology
Panelists discuss their approaches to a range of difficult cases in multiple areas, including RA, PsA and PMR. Panelists: Audrey Gibson, PA-C; Benjamin A. Smith, PA-C; Emma Bavage, ANP; Jack Cush, MD
https://t.co/vl5J9NYUKZ https://t.co/nsTf370bu9
Links:
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Lilly announced phase 3 RCT TRIUMPH-4, where Retatrutide, a new GIP, GLP-1 & glucagon recpt agonist, was given to obese (BMI >35), knee osteoarthritis pts *without diabetes*. Wt loss at 68 wks was 28.7% with reduced WOMAC pain scores of -4.5 points (75.8%) https://t.co/73yIyvwRtL
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