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RA,polyarticular,black,rheumatoid

ALTO: Long-Term Abatacept Outcomes in At-Risk RA

Jack Cush, MD

Lancet Rheumatology has published the ALTO results - long term outcomes of the APIPPRA trial, demonstrating that treatment with abatacept (ABA) in at risk patients can delay progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years.

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Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada

Jack Cush, MD

A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX).

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Pain,FM,fibromlyalgia,Trigger

Which Fibromyalgia Drugs are Cost-Effective?

Jack Cush, MD

A cost-effectiveness analysis compared FDA approved fibromyalgia drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) with amitriptyline and found duloxetine was the preferred strategy across perspectives.

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Canada's 2025 Top 10 Funded Rheumatology Projects

Arthritis Society

Arthritis Society Canada (ASC) is Canada’s largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research, investing more than $240 million in research projects since its founding, and over $7 million invested in 2024-2025. Below are the investigators and projects that were funded in 2025.

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MTX.box

Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX.

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RNL, over, microphone

RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com - and the top 5 reasons to attend RheumNow Live 2026, which is one week away.

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Aorta

Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab

Jack Cush, MD

The The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating the superiority of SC TCZ.

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errors.doctor

Retractions in Rheumatology

Jack Cush, MD

Retraction of rheumatology studies is not uncommon; a recent analysis shows retractions have risen substantially.

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D2T RA Cover

Difficult to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Cush addresses the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2TRA).

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TOPKAT Trial: Partial vs Total Knee Replacement

MedPage Today

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little bit better.

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2016 ARTIC trial tested T2T w/ MTX & "bridging" tapered Prednisolone (15 mg --> 0mg over 7wks) in 237 new DMARD naive RA pts. PRED discontinuation successful in 84% @7wks, 89% @3mos, 95% @ 24 mos. Only 5% require Pred @ every visit for 2 yrs. You can D/C pred! https://t.co/O23PHq81YP
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DMARD Responses in Localized Scleroderma JAMA Dermatology has published the results of a juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) trial showing that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methotrexate (MTX) are equally effective in treating JLS, noting low flare rates and possibly better https://t.co/NIR0ejs1RL
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NEJM: Aortitis Due to Large-Vessel Vasculitis 63yoM w/ Hx HTN c/o 3 mos of CP, palpitations, abdominal pain. ESR-104, CRP 85 mg/L. CT showed thickening of the thoracic & abdominal aorta. After 6wks Rx w/ AZA, HCQ, Pred, ESR/CRP still high and pt stared on SC TCZ w/ improvement. https://t.co/IWm3ZQLBUN
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The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG

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DMARD Responses in Localized Scleroderma JAMA Dermatology has published the results of a juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) trial showing that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methotrexate (MTX) are equally effective in treating JLS, noting low flare rates and possibly better https://t.co/BbIS5rdRYU
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Full read review of the Mechanistic Effects of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. https://t.co/PrMyZ7q3wX download here: https://t.co/aRnmRm770Z https://t.co/5B0mBjzOXQ

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Roche Canada announced that Health Canada has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. Following four initial doses in the first year, Gazyva can be administered twice yearly https://t.co/P4dCVkoPCH
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Electronic EHR reminders to deprescribe works! EHR study of 1146 pts(mean 74 yrs) showed 2 methods of E-reminder notifications resulted in either a 10.4% or 6.5% deprescribing (vs usual care); deprescribing was 40% more likely (RR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14-1.73) https://t.co/sXnW5gUP0q https://t.co/n9LhUG612M

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Full read review of the Mechanistic Effects of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. https://t.co/PrMyZ7q3wX download here: https://t.co/fvEocwsXIv https://t.co/ZWVctochHV

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Japanese nationwide survey of 1943 RMD pts taking Azathioprine (AZA) 34% had adverse events: hepatobiliary (149%), GI (10%), blood/lymphatic (9%), infections (5%), & skin (2.4%). AEs lead to 71% D/C AZA. Serious AEs (Gr ≥3) higher w/ older (OR 2.5), & SLE (OR 2.3) https://t.co/lVNYVQATfx
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