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Distinguishing Septic and Gouty Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

A single center, retrospective review of patients undergoing knee joint fluid aspirations for presumed crystalline arthritis (CA) showed that synovial WBC may provide a useful diagnostic marker for SA with an optimal threshold of 50,000 cells/mm3.

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Predictors of Developing RA

Jack Cush, MD

A prospective cohort study of seropositive arthralgia patients demonstrated that baseline characteristics and labs can be used to predict which arthralgia patients are at highest risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Immunophenotyping, JCI

RA Prevention through Deep Immunophenotyping

Jack Cush, MD

Researchers at the University of Colorado have identified pathogenic immune phenotypes in at-risk populations for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Uveitis Risk with Slow Adalimumab Weaning

MedPage Today

Patients with pediatric non-infectious uveitis (NIU) who achieved remission on adalimumab (Humira) had lower recurrence rates when the drug was withdrawn more gradually, a retrospective cohort analysis indicated.

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Mindfulness and CBT improve chronic low back pain

EurekAlert!

Behavioral interventions were associated with reduced pain and daily opioid use and improved function and quality of life for up to 12 months among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain, according to a new randomized clinical trial.

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Vamorolone: a New Steroid on the Horizon?

Jack Cush, MD

Vamorolone is a potentially new alternative to traditional glucocorticoids for use in inflammatory diseases.

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1st Line Biologics vs csDMARDs in Adult Still's Disease

Jack Cush, MD

A German multicentre, retrospective study assessed the first-line efficacy of biologics and conventional synthetic DMARD therapy in patients with adult-onset Still's disease and found biologic agents were significantly better with sustained, event-free remissions and fewer complications.

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Cancer Survival with TNF Inhibitors (3.28.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

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

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Autoimmune Disease Impact Report

Jack Cush, MD

Integrated Benefit Institute, a nonprofit independent research organization, has published its 2025 Autoimmune Disease Impact Report, which examines the health and productivity impacts of five prevalent and costly autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammat

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Targeting Obesity in Rheumatic Disease Patients

Jack Cush, MD

Sattar et al. has published an informative overview of the effect of obesity on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). They estimate that nearly 70% of RMD patients are overweight or obese.

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RA Prevention through Deep Immunophenotyping Researchers at the University of Colorado have identified pathogenic immune phenotypes in at-risk populations for RA. They have found the expansion of specific T cell subtypes, in the at-risk group, and postulate this could lead to https://t.co/AEo0GOr7Kn
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
If COVID was responsible for causing autoimmune Dz (AD), it is possible that Molecular mimicry was in play. Study shows 10nsequence homology between SARS-CoV-2 & AD epitopes; 2) similar MHC binding; 3) of high empirical immunogenicity. https://t.co/WO3gjxhVBw https://t.co/QdqtQMHcpL

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Researchers have developed a machine learning model capable of predicting rheumatoid arthritis progression from seronegative undifferentiated arthritis. In the KURAMA cohort of 210 SN patients, 57 (27%) progressed to RA. The FNN model excelled with an AUC of 0.924 and 81% https://t.co/b8G2AzMZ7m
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A comprehensive examination of the pathogenesis and recent advancements in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). This condition results from autosomal recessive mutations in the MEFV gene, which codes for Pyrin, a crucial component of the NLRP3 inflammasome. These genetic https://t.co/XNV89LW893
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A study in mice shows that JAK inhibition In mice model of status epilepticus (SE) didnt prevent initial SE but when did effect chronic phase of Sz weeks after SE induction of SE, suppressing seizures, and epilepsy-associated histopathological alterations. Sz suppression lasted https://t.co/GMIPCtoc7x
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ACPA specificity and recognition motifs examined in 6,907 patients with RA from 5 Scandinavian cohorts. ACPA targeting non-glycine citrulline motifs assoc. more strongly w/ HLA-SE; ACPA to glycine citrulline motifs assoc. w/ smoking and IgA ACPA A&R https://t.co/PmKv3dZLc4 https://t.co/NdPG4Orfj4

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ACR_Journals ACR_Journals ( View Tweet)
#Thrombocytopenia is common in #antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and is likely associated with more severe disease. Although the pathophysiology underlying thrombocytopenia in APS has yet to be definitively revealed, mechanisms that play a role (at least in subsets of patients) https://t.co/pUXmb1irbw

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Alberto Giraldo alb_giraldo ( View Tweet)
55 myositis (IIM) pts studied Nailfold Capillaries, MSAbs, cytokines & IFN genes. MDA5(+) pts signif more dilated (DIL), giant & abnl morphology caps, w/ microhemorrhages (MH) vs ARS (+) pts. MH & DIL assoc w/ MX1, IFI27, IP-10, RANTES, GROα. Giant caps assoc w/ IFI27, SDF-1α, https://t.co/3WQL8Sw0rq
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Mizoribine Effective in Lupus Nephritis A randomized clinical trial has shown that oral mizoribine, a common immunosuppressant in Japan, was noninferior to intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) as induction therapy in patients with active lupus nephritis. https://t.co/OWnGly4TUX https://t.co/zbPPH1n4lU

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
617 seropos ARTHRALGIA pts - 34% got inflamm. arthritis (avg time ~20mos). Arthritis risk factors: high ACPA (HR 4.7) or double positive(HR 6.8); 1st degree relative (1.5); intermittent Sxs(1.6); <12 mos Sxs (HR 0.71); AM stiff ≥1hr (1.6); joint swelling (1.5). IF > 2 https://t.co/tHL19ro5C8
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