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Teaching You How to Think… (8.15.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and press clippings from the past week on RheumNow. Positive results in a Sjogren's trial, to PT or not to PT, and  aphorisms to live by.

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The Patient Journey with Rheumatic Disease

Jack Cush, MD

Oton and colleagues have reviewed the "patient journey" - from symptoms to specialty referral in those diagnosed with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

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Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices

Jack Cush, MD

RheumNow surveyed clinicians worldwide on how their rheumatology practice, treatment decisions, and career outlooks have changed over the past 20 years. 242 respondents (68% from the USA) shared their perspectives on the changing landscape of rheumatoid arthritis care, practice patterns, and professional development.

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Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.

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Inefficiencies of ANA Testing

Jack Cush, MD

The Journal of Rheumatology has published an analysis of antinuclear antibody (ANA) multiplex testing showing its nonspecific utility and poor rate of return in identifying ANA-associated autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs).

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Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) over the last 20 years. 

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RA leads to ILD: but ILD does not lead to RA

Jack Cush, MD

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, and approximately 30%-40% of patients develop pulmonary complications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the causal relationship between the two has long been unclear.

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Wondering what rheumatoid arthritis experts think about the future of treatment? Dr. Jack Cush moderates a special Tuesday Nite Rheumatology session, live at 7 PM ET on August 26th, where experts will dive into a nationwide survey on the evolution of biologics and DMARDs. Hear https://t.co/afYRarqjvj
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Pain Flares in RA are just pain, not inflammation. Study of 195 RA pts (11+ yrs dz dur), 49-89% experienced at least 1 flare (median 2-4 flares/mo), IQR 2.1-5), lasting median of 2 days. Flares preceded by worsening mood, anxiety, sleepiness - but no change in Accelerometer https://t.co/twI6wcxKf7
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The world of rheumatoid arthritis treatment has changed dramatically. What do the experts say about the evolution of biologics and DMARDs over the last 20 years? Join us for a live webinar, moderated by Dr. Jack Cush, where we'll unpack the results of a nationwide survey. Tues, https://t.co/o2WqAaQ2mN
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
PT in RA - Metanalysis of 17 RCTs, 1362 pts Rx w/ aerobic/resistance exercise, hydrotherapy, manual Rx, electrotherapy, multimodal Rx. 5 RCTs (n 307) signif reduced pain (SMD −0.347; interpreted as a small to medium effect favoring PT. https://t.co/UJGSGrgMV0 https://t.co/n4DzMSm9iJ

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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk goes up w/ age, obesity, estrogens; BUT a UK primary care database shows VTE risk signif higher in RA (n 23K) vs matched controls (n 94K): adj HR 1.46. Absolute VTE risk higher w/ age & BMI, but VTE higher in younger v older; normal vs. Hi BMI: https://t.co/htI2YqiF0c
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French OL trial of PCV13 vaccination in 248 early, DMARD Naive RA pts starting MTX @ same time or after 1 month delay. 1 mo delay in MTX resulted in significantly higher responses (46%, 65%) vs. pts vax while taking MTX. Signif responses seen 1 yr later. RA activity equal betw. https://t.co/AnqK89ZJtE
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mayo study of 659 incident RA pts finds Multimorbidity predicted 29% (OR:1.29) higher odds of RA flare, & 34% lower (OR:0.66) odds of remission. RA Flares assoc w/ female, smoking, younger age shorter Dz duration, but not seropositivity. Remission assoc w/ male, not smoking, https://t.co/yEwkQ63zIh
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys will examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis. https://t.co/hJSQ5mMJ6b https://t.co/7sBXpzkVLg

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Full read review of DMARD effects on CV Risks. Strongest CV protective effects for MTX & TNF inhibitors. Potentially beneficial are sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, & leflunomide. More info needed on IL-6, IL-17/23 inhibitors. Concerns over NSAIDs & JAKi https://t.co/0BW4StS15N
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/MtVny1iBQ4
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for RA over the last 20 years. https://t.co/4IDf1ZTl7w https://t.co/oM0bNXIw28

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RA leads to ILD: but ILD does not lead to RA New research sheds light on the link between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A team from Taizhou Hospital used advanced multi-omics methods to explore the causal relationship between these two https://t.co/QbY6GC0KBZ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys will examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis. https://t.co/hJSQ5mMJ6b https://t.co/466wOjTSGS

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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