2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians.  While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list (in no particular order) of 2024 developments and desires that may change rheumatologic practices.

A current review in the Journal of Thoracic Disease on relapsing polychondritis (RP), suggests that while this rare disorder may have an uncertain pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutical management has improved.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Opioid deaths are down, IL-33 levels are up and Weight loss is in the news again this week!

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from RheumNow Live 2025 held in Dallas, TX on Feb. 8-9, 2025.

Formerly classified as an ANCA-associated vasculitis, EGPA is both most commonly ANCA negative and clinically different to the other two ANCA-associated vasculitis conditions, GPA and MPA. The management of EGPA has frequently fallen into the trap of being copied from its more common and well-known cousins. Now, however, we are seeing a discordance and following GPA/MPA management will potentially lead to both over-treatment and suboptimal treatment for EGPA. In this context, the Sunday morning session at RNL 2025 on “EGPA management in 2025 and beyond” by Dr. Michael Wechsler was both timely and clinically relevant.

A nationwide cohort study of patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, showed that many had severe disease during the acute phase, but most recovered quickly and had a reassuring midterm prognosis.

Lancet reports a French study demonstrating the efficacy of baricitinib in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Dr. Jack Cush brings in the new year with a review of the latest from RheumNow.com