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ACR Convergence 2025 Sheds Light on Disparities, Age-Related Trends, and Epidemiology in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
ACR Press Release
At ACR Convergence 2025, new research explored critical disparities and epidemiologic trends shaping outcomes in autoimmune rheumatic diseases across diverse populations and age groups. Studies presented at the meeting highlighted issues ranging from kidney transplant outcomes in lupus to medication disparities in rheumatoid arthritis and demographic patterns in systemic sclerosis and axial spondyloarthritis.
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Social media based outreach to pts for research
Out of 617,207 users engaged, 6 filled the contact form
Based on this social media (knowing also promotion costs) might not be the best strategy to recruit for clinical trials
@RheumNow #ACR25 https://t.co/qCH9WXyTD7
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
đź’Š SGLT2i vs GLP-1 in Lupus Nephritis
TriNetX evaluating the impact of GLP-1 agonists vs SGLT-2 inhibitors on outcomes of lupus nephritis
đź“Š GLP-1 use linked to better renal & CV outcomes in LN including:
⬇️ CKD progression
⬇️ Mortality
⬇️ Acute MI
@RheumNow #ACR25 https://t.co/v4LgKFDt68
Akhil Sood MD, MS AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
Could a sputum test predict risk for RA conversion in at-risk patients?
98 at risk pts, Converters had higher
-BL sputum CCP levels
-BL Sputum nucleosome and cit-nucleosome levels !although not asso after adjusting for sputum anti-CCP-IgA level
In converters, correlation of https://t.co/bqmQqS1Jz5
Links:
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Where do patients find informations about their RMD?
Study of 705pts
-80% search engines via smartphone 80.3%
Different pattern within 2 yrs of diagnosis vs. later stage:
-more frequent 19% vs 8%
Most users find online content -understandable 80%
-apply it in daily life 68% https://t.co/9IMvpt2ffr
Links:
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
More biomarkers predictive of conversion to clinical RA in at-risk pts
Serum PAD4 & PAD 4 levels measured in CCP+ at-risk individuals
-PAD4 (not PAD2) increased in RA Converters vs. non converters and HC
-PAD4 levels Pre-RA = RA
Within high CCP+ at risk individuals, higher https://t.co/LU5zUzui1G
Links:
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Real-world Indian cohort of 290 axSpA patients, generic tofacitinib achieved low/inactive disease in 89% after 25 months. Most adverse events were mild (e.g., transaminitis 14.5%) and manageable. No serious infections or MACE reported. A cost-effective alternative to bDMARDs in https://t.co/JBHfNq7kYt
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
What is #nonadherence in #SLE associated with?
115 Pts w #lupus in Spain
Overall medication adherence 58%!
👇Reduced if
Male
Low education
No partner -NS adjusted analysis
Unemployed
Comorbidities
3 or more drugs/pills -NS adjusted
#ACR25 @RheumNow @ACRheum
#abst0216 https://t.co/CkG6gpiCw3
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
CE study BEL vs csDMARDs in TriNetX
Mortality ~3-4% for MTX/AZA/MMF vs ~1.5% for BEL, ~50% reduction in adjusted analysis
Pretty surprising given mediocre results from BLISS RCTs, but strong research group & lotsa fancy stats
Do you believe it?
#ACR25 @RheumNow Abstr#0804 https://t.co/Yex98EYDjP
Links:
Mike Putman EBRheum ( View Tweet)
Urinary proteomics reveals promising biomarkers for ankylosing spondylitis. PIK3IP1 & SDC1 levels were significantly elevated in AS patients, showing strong diagnostic performance (AUCs: 0.852 & 0.875). Combined with AMY1A, the multiplex panel reached an AUC of 0.973. Abstract https://t.co/YUulKFqj8V
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
The benefits of exercise has been proven for most rheumatic diseases, and there are lots of good reasons why
#ACR25 Brian Andonian @RheumNow https://t.co/IEErXL6ynL
David Liew drdavidliew ( View Tweet)
What is my risk of developing proteinuria?
Hopkins Lupus Cohort developed a risk score predicting 10-year risk of new-onset proteinuria after SLE dx (n=1,418)
@RheumNow #ACR25 https://t.co/Z0zPrG2NJ3
Akhil Sood MD, MS AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
#0777 Big news for VEXAS! 🎯
The first validated disease activity index (VEXAS-DAI) has been developed via international Delphi consensus. A 12-domain, 40-point tool to standardise assessment & power trials in this complex syndrome. Validation underway! @RheumNow #ACR25 https://t.co/DSeHb7eNeV
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
Redefining When to Biopsy the Kidney in Patients with SLE # Petri et al. ACR 2025 - Lupus nephritis may be seen in lower proteinuria too (69%)
Happy to share similar results from our study-Padiyar S, As C, Gowri M, Mathew J. Lupus. 2024;33(13):1511-1517.
@RheumNow
Dr Shivraj Padiyar DrPadiyar ( View Tweet)
Do you believe that patients w #rheumatic #diseases flare if #extreme #weather?
Even 90 days after extreme weather events flares occur - loss of power, heat’ med storage = ++stressful events
Is it early flare from weather & then ++stress
@RheumNow @ACRrheum #ACR25 abst#0164 https://t.co/pGPwOKrKU7
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
Even when inflammation is quiet, fatigue often lingers. In 246 RA pts, 43% had significant fatigue—closely tied to PROMs, not labs. RAPID3 < 6 flagged the few truly “fatigue-free.”
Don’t overlook the VAS_Fatigue—it tells a real story.
@RheumNow #ACR25 Abstract# 0380
Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)
Using ChatGPT to diagnose axSpA, in 10 low back pain cases, it outperformed clinicians in diagnostic precision (75% vs. 60%) and sensitivity (85% vs. 80%), completing the task 5x faster. Specialty framing (e.g., Rheum vs Neuro) didn’t affect accuracy. Abstract 0530 @RheumNow https://t.co/YMMC4XIX9m
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
After propensity matching, this retrospective cohort study showed that #lupus nephritis patients on GLP-1 agonists had ⬇️ CKD progression, mortality & AMI risk vs. LN pts on SGLT2is.
Interesting data but what could explain it? Further studies are needed
#ACR25 @RheumNow Abs0841 https://t.co/FtsGbMDcCv
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
#ACR25 Abstr#645. Dapirolizumab, anti-CD40L-i met primary endpoint, BICLA in Phase 3 RCT non-renal SLE. Key secondary endpoints showed higher rates of & time in LLDAS and remission in DAP vs PBO. Meaningful targets re: damage accrual & better longterm outcomes @RheumNow https://t.co/IxesXhi34R
Links:
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
Only 32% of RA pts were satisfied with current txs. In a discrete choice experiment of 354 US pts, many preferred a vagus nerve stimulator over another biologic/JAKi, especially those with prior tx failures. Cost, function, and fatigue drove preferences.
@RheumNow #ACR25 A#0370
Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)
