People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are at risk of a number of comorbidities, from cardiovascular diseases to cognitive impairment and fractures. The 2026 EULAR Congress showcased new data and ideas around various comorbidities and drug safety issues in people with an RMD – highlighting the need for integrated care. Here are five abstracts to consider.
All News
Article
Article
Over 70% of patients with PsA struggle with excess weight, amplifying synovio-entheseal inflammation and blunting biologic response. The rapid uptake of GLP-1RAs in rheumatology has raised an urgent mechanistic question: are clinical gains in PsA driven purely by weight reduction, or do these agents carry intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties? EULAR 2026 offered six abstracts that together illuminate, without fully resolving, this question.
#EULAR2026 OP0216 With the advances in biologics/cell-based therapies in #SLE, we need to define “severe refractory.” Data-driven analysis from 13 nations suggested: SLEDAI≥6 + PGA>1 + mild-moderate or severe flare (MMSf) + GC≥10 +IS. Need validation study before use @RheumNow https://t.co/K2dMSQUIgB
Aurelie Najm
Tweet
And we are on!
A full house for #EULAR2026 Opening ceremony highlighting @eular_org initiatives in the field of research, education and patient empowerment and a call “better care leading to better lives” by president Xenofon Baraliakos
@RheumNow https://t.co/zTQUFcjXBI
It’s that time of year again! 🎉
Delighted to once again be joining the @RheumNow faculty to bring you the highlights from #EULAR2026 in London!
@bella_mehta
@JihaRheum
@AurelieRheumo
@Janetbirdope
@Nellziade
@RHEUMarampa
@synovialjoints
@Yuz6Yusof https://t.co/WvhpYJJNUk
🖥️ Can MRI-based synthetic CT detect spinal progression in #axSpA?
COPECARE (n=25, 1yr): sCT matches ldCT with no radiation
#OP0104 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/pe9wSMXXZQ
🔍 Is #axSpA overdiagnosed locally?
IMPROVE-axSpA prosp study (n=969):
Yes!
Only 54% locally confirmed centrally
#OP0105 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/VqCPbbCHLB
#EULAR2026 OP028 In 16 patients with AID (SSc,IIM, RA, IgG4,SjD, Grave’s), CD3xBCMA BiTE, Teclistamab was effective in 15/16. Duration of GC & DMARD-free was 11 mths. 2/16 need retreatment. All had low IgG and needed IVIG. Need long-term safety data & comparative study @RheumNow https://t.co/97MUPnXRua
The first two days of EULAR 2026 have delivered a flood of new data, late-breaking science, and clinical insights. Don't spend hours sorting through hundreds of abstracts; RheumNow will do it for you.
Join Dr. Jack Cush and https://t.co/V10S4oVFsv faculty as they break down the https://t.co/eAPV6h5FAn
sheila
Tweet
Interesting pilot study using line-field confocal OCT for CLE
The “virtual biopsy” identified distinct layer-specific patterns across diff CLE subtypes including distinctions
bet ACLE & rosacea (dil. vessels, demodex mites, periannexal infil)
AbsOP099 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/yQSc6u4oYV
#OP0114 at #EULAR2026: Spanish study finds marked regional disparities in premature mortality from systemic connective tissue diseases. Higher socioeconomic deprivation and longer waits for specialist care were both linked to worse outcomes. @RheumNow https://t.co/04we2H0wdb
Janet Pope
Tweet
❎HIGH Type 1 #interferon
=
Worse #scleroderma
In both
#limited #lcSSc
&
#diffuse #dcSSc
Leeds cohort
?biomarker
#EULAR2026 @RheumNow ABST#POS1092
ABST#POS0395 https://t.co/cRrBIpLgP9
#EULAR2026 OP0126 Long-term extension study up to 108 weeks: Ianalumab demonstrated sustained efficacy (change in ESSDAI) including those who switched from PBO to IAN in #Sjogren. IAN improved most domains apart from lungs, MSK & Haem - important to note @RheumNow #EULARBest https://t.co/x1d4G1s0jw
Janet Pope
Tweet
#Autoimmune #progressive #pulmonary #fibrosis
Large Spanish registry
❎more mortality if not on #DMARDs
?underRx of proven #Rx with #antifibrotics
Median survival post #dx #PPF 7.8 yrs
Can we do better?
#ABST POS0430
@RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/gP7apxfEPS
Antoni Chan MD (Prof)
Tweet
TOGETHER-PsA :ACR50 was already significantly higher with IXE+TZP as early as Week 4 (11.1% vs 3.9%, p=0.029). The metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1/GIP agonism may act synergistically Abstr#069 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/NBQ6CccuCn
TOGETHER PsA trial
IXE+TIRZEPATIDE TZP vs. IXE alone RCT
Obese or Overweight PsA IR to <3 bioDMARDs
Primary endpoint ≥10% weight & ACR50 wk 36
31.7% IXE+TZP vs. 0.8% for IXE alone
ACR50 IXE+TZP 33.5% & IXE 20.4%, p=0.02)
No clear difference by gender/age/BMI/previous DMARDs https://t.co/lFbeb85b9Y
Janet Pope
Tweet
You CAN identify #ILD in #rheumatic #diseases
🔜early
With a brief #questionnaire
Ask re
➡️dry cough
➡️dyspnea
➡️smoking
Not sensitive but high #specificity
Is it too late?
Maybe chest #auscultation at the #bases would be better?
🤷
#EULAR2026 ABST#POS0433
@RheumNow https://t.co/JA3k1cSHt7
Janet Pope
Tweet
Does #Rx w #immunesuppression w
#antifibrotic
Help #SARD-ILD?
YES.
N=40 SARD-ILD, 1/2 w UIP pattern
Use of #IS w #antifibrotic pt group had better survival
Small N and ?channeling bias
But interesting results
TAke home : Use IS + antifibrotic
#EULAR2026 #POS0530
@RheumNow https://t.co/tfxVVw27jJ
