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Can I Use JAK Inhibitors During Pregnancy?
In 2020, the ACR Recommendations on Reproductive Health notably avoided firm guidance on the use of JAK inhibitors (JAKi) during pregnancy stating, "There is no available evidence regarding use or safety of the new small- molecule agents, tofacitinib, baricitinib, and apremilast, during pregnancy."
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Maui Potpourri (2.13.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the hot item takeaways from last week's RheumNow.Live 2026.
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Obesity, Surgery, and Optimizing Patient Care
Rheumatologic care involves multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration with specialties to treat complex, systemic diseases. While many Pods at RheumNow Live are disease specific, the Pod II focused on Advancing Practice on important and emerging areas affecting rheumatologic patients. This session focused on two major areas of need: obesity and peri-operative management.
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RT @richardPAConway
Data from Scott Matson's group showing that immunosuppressing RA-ILD (agnostic to agent) results in stabilisation of the previous downward trajectory of pulmonary function tests. #RNL26 https://t.co/MoYoM0K1cs
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Comorbidity & Health Management
https://t.co/cSwCEDKL28 https://t.co/WP7yIdWPVY
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Dermatomyositis outcomes w/ 2475 pts (claims) & 1196 pts (EHR). Half had myositis panels & 35% had + MSAbs. Steroid use common in 69% & 74%. HCQ, MTX, MMF. Outocmes (per 1000PYs) wereL all-cause hospitalisation 92, malignancy 15.3, ILD 6.4, and myocarditis 2.1 https://t.co/DJqKGNGX76
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
UK Biobank registry analyzed assoc. betw sleep duration, insomnia, & shift with osteoarthritis endpoints (KOA, HOA, TKA, THA) - all incr/highest in pts w/ <6 hrs nightly sleep. Night shift workers had 24% higher knee OA risk (HR=1.24) & 28% higher TKA risk (HR=1.28). https://t.co/UnxXH2I92R
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @RichardPAConway
Comparative survival in incident RA-ILD 1955-1995 vs 1999-2014. We are getting better, althoug need to take into account the general survival improvement also. More work to do! #RNL26 https://t.co/VwV33tHgR8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @ericdeinMD
#RNL26 @RheumNow
Uzma Haque
GLP1 on pts with SLE and diabetes
Retrospective study - major improvements in
MACE HR 0.66
VTE HR 0.49
Renal progession HR 0.77
Mortality HR 0.26
A major tool for rheumatic care! https://t.co/qR3HKfsugZ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @gibson_rheumPAC
Baseline serum urate >8–9 mg/dL strongly predicts worse flares, hospitalizations, and joint damage over years. Urate level should inform urgency and intensity of therapy. #RNL26 https://t.co/4RBVXZxCCX
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @ericdeinMD
#RNL26
GLP on Knee OA
STEP 9 Trial - 68 wk
Mean WOMAC improved by 41.7 pts, compared to 27.5 in PBO, improved SF-36
7% stopped due to side effects https://t.co/LJzGzzlgq6 https://t.co/5ybyUdfNjZ
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @ericdeinMD
#RNL26
Dx Modification of OA
@Tuhina_Neogi
Challenge in drug develop:
Models in young animal, not like human OA
Trial enrollment in pts w late, establ OA- not early interv tx
Many paths to OA - target mechanism to correct pt
Slow progress of dx, $$
Endpt? Sx or
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @ericdeinMD
#RNL26
Placebo in Rheumatology - STEP talk
Kerschbaumer
What plays role in PBO?
Treatment adherence effect w better background therapy - may appear to be PBO
Impact in globalization of recruitment patterns, affects background PBO
Education of pts bridges gap
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @Gibson_RheumPAC
Obesity doesn’t just increase risk of rheumatic diseases-it worsens outcomes.
Patients with obesity have higher disease activity, poorer biologic response, and 20–25% lower remission rates in inflammatory arthritis. #RNL26
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @Gibson_RheumPAC
Nearly 50% of U.S. adults may meet criteria for obesity by 2030.
For rheumatologists, it directly impacts disease activity, outcomes, and treatment response. #RNL26 https://t.co/cpy4LBBPHc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @gibson_RheumPAC
Osteoarthritis affects 600 million people worldwide—yet we still have no approved disease-modifying therapies.
A powerful opening to this talk on why OA drug development keeps missing the mark. https://t.co/wBUN3lux6X
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 90 adolescents (46 w. Juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) & 44 controls) finds that JFM pts have greater sensitivity to non-painful sensory stimuli, such as sounds and bright lights; such hypersensitivity is closely related to the severity of the disease and brain function https://t.co/KGqzRK6e4a
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @ericdeinMD
Mucosal Hypothesis RA #RNL26
Demoruelle
ACPA can predate RA development
Nam et al: non-specific jt pain: 42% developed RA in 12 mos
Circiumaro et al: MSK complaints 38% devel RA in 36 mo
APIPPRA: 29% at 12 mo, 37% at 24 mo, StopRA 18% in 12 mo, 33% at 36 mo https://t.co/JYiWmn0N0g
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @ericdeinmd
Mortality risk in RA #RNL26
Myasoedova
Premature deaths in up to 1/4 of pts
Decline in mortality in RA after year 2000
Full siblings of RA also high mortality (shared genetic or environ factors affect risk?)
Risks: Seropositivity, esp ACPA, CRP, extra-artic https://t.co/ytm6odmtgR
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SGLT2 Inhibitors in Gout - Better Outcomes, Fewer Meds
Natalie McCormick, PhD (RACER Center, Mass General Brigham), led a new Diabetes Care study on gout-related medication use after starting SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with gout and type 2 diabetes.
https://t.co/BFJB3OY2L3 https://t.co/63Bu4t6LYM
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
