All News
Biologics in Pregnancy Patients With Autoimmune Disease
A large cohort, claims data study shows that among pregnant women receiving biologic therapies for autoimmune conditions, 72% continued their biologics pregnancy, more so among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients than those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis (PsO) or psoriatic arthri
Read ArticleVitamin D Headlines (5.9.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and lupus highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com. Triple positivity, the gut and CRPS, and hope for better outcomes with Vitamin D therapy.
Read Article
Pregnancy planning, contraception and safe drugs in Pregancy.
Featuring Dr. Megan Clowse, Durham NC
https://t.co/sZuq475VJv https://t.co/HZv9FuviaR
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SLE, Antiphospholipid Antibodies, and the Placenta
It is well established that women with SLE are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, preterm birth, and pregnancy loss. However, the pathophysiologic mechanisms driving these complications https://t.co/f8Up1112m9
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Vitiligo affects up to 2% of people globally; more in blacks & hispanics than whites & more common in women > men. The prevalence has increased over time. Oral corticosteroids are most frequently prescribed, followed by other immunosuppressive drugs https://t.co/wNh6z3lKg1 https://t.co/hQo9sNn4kg
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Emulation trials in SLE: Real or Fake?
Recently a landmark paper was published in A&R studying the results of an emulation trial. My colleagues and I were able to write an editorial on this paper and describe emulation trials.
https://t.co/0ulYG5xz0J https://t.co/y2jo2SSH83
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA approved the chikungunya virus vaccine (Ixchiq) in 11/23, but recently announced caution and pause use while it investigates Postmarketing Safety Reports of 17 SAE (cardiac & neurologic) & 2 deaths. 6 SAE in the USA, elderly w/ chronic med conditions. ~80K doses of Ixchiq https://t.co/RED8Xab0Ir
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA approved the chikungunya virus vaccine (Ixchiq) in 11/23, but recently announced caution and pause use while it investigates Postmarketing Safety Reports of 17 SAE (cardiac & neurologic) & 2 deaths. 6 SAE in the USA, elderly w/ chronic med conditions. ~80K doses of Ixchiq https://t.co/XadqMEmSuD
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
CDC: U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease Almost 27% in 2024, dropping from 110,037 deaths (2023) to ~80,391(2024). Despite these improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44. https://t.co/UXTaOPf3P7 https://t.co/1NQUfoZ1eK
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Is the nosology of CPPD outdated? Pseudogout to chondrocalcinosis? In 2011 EULAR taskforce rec the preferred term "calcium pyrophosphate deposition dz". G-CAN aims to update & standardised terminology for CPPD, requiring change to ICD-10 & adoption by societies https://t.co/mdqwDQN1po
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
#2 most downloaded paper in 2024 on Journal of Clinical Medicine was “IgA Vasculitis (Henoch–Schönlein Purpura): An Update on Treatment” - Steroids are 1st line Rx, esp in adults w/ severe IgAV; other Rx include calcineurin inhibitors, MMF, RTX , https://t.co/F5jogxkoGr
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Telitacicept, recombinant fusion protein targeting BLyS & APRIL, studied in 41 Chinese SLE pts (added to standard Rx) showed mean improvements in SLEDAI-2K (10.0 to 6.25 @12 wks & 4.2 @24 wks;p<.001), daily prednisone (21 mg to 9.8mg) & proteinuria (2.8 gr to 1.3 gr/day) https://t.co/xtPMSZBoWg
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Is the nosology of CPPD outdated? Pseudogout to chondrocalcinosis? In 2011 EULAR taskforce rec the preferred term "calcium pyrophosphate deposition dz". G-CAN aims to update & standardised terminology for CPPD, requiring change to ICD-10 & adoption by societies https://t.co/wTdc0Tosc6
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Emulation trials in SLE: Real or Fake?
Recently a landmark paper was published in A&R studying the results of an emulation trial. My colleagues and I were able to write an editorial on this paper and describe emulation trials.
https://t.co/0ulYG5xz0J https://t.co/8oj8UDV9Dd
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Single-centre retrospective study, 27 children with refractory juvenile dermatomyositis (jDM) Rx with baricitinib (F/U of 25 mos)-- 77% (21/27) improved skin rashes (62% complete resolution) & Dz activity improved (6 vs 0.8, p<0.01) 70% (19/27) achieved inactive disease https://t.co/rRlhoY9O4q
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Glucocorticoids in SLE: how to start, how to follow, how to stop
More than 70 years after their first use in rheumatology by Philip Hench, glucocorticoids (GCs) continue to be one of the main weapons to fight systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No other available medication https://t.co/H6N0N3BhhU
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Keys to Mastery (5.2.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, articles and drug approvals from the past week on RheumNow.This podcast marks the beginning of our Lupus Campaign called "Lupus Unlocked: Keys to Mastery". This month's campaign on Lupus is sponsored by Aurinia. https://t.co/ke0XaJJJX5
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
GLP-1 agonists effective in Rxing MASH - metabolic dysfunction-assoc steatohepatitis (AKA NAFLD, NASH). DBRPCT w/ 1100 pts (mean BMI 34-35). A good perspective article from Sensible Medicine. https://t.co/NeaX5qcnPA https://t.co/loRPcwv8B9 https://t.co/ul8ko9cU4K
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA has approved nipocalimab (Imaavytm), a FcRn for use in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). It is approved for using in gMG patents who are anti-AChR and anti-MuSK antibody positive adults and pediatric gMG patients aged 12 and older. https://t.co/fYCWuTZ6Uz https://t.co/aSfydBS9xh
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Contraception in SLE
Pregnancy in SLE receives significant attention in rheumatology due to increased risks. Historically, women with SLE were advised against pregnancy. As of 2004, the maternal mortality rate was 20 times higher than the general population. Although recent https://t.co/89df0TKtF5
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)


