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Colchicine Ineffective in Long COVID
Management of long COVID has been perplexing with symptoms having functional and possibly inflammatory origins. Colchicine has been studied in long COVID and failed to improve functional capacity, respiratory function, or inflammatory markers.
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SGLT-2 inhibitors and the prevention of autoimmune rheumatic disease
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have benefits beyond glycemic control, including cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects, with modest weight loss.
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FDA Approves Obinutuzumab for Active Lupus Nephritis
The FDA has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of lupus nephritis. This is good news for the more than 1.7 million people worldwide with lupus nephritis.
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DERM on RheumNow (October 2025)
Skin important Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, other CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biiologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy and side effects. Features Dr. Jack Cush, Editor https://t.co/bIK3e8sL45
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Meniscal tears - Systematic review of 46 studies
- Incidence of 66 per 100,000
- Annual cost of 5 billion to US healthcare
- Trend to preserve the meniscus, do less removal, more preservation
- Biologic Rx (platelet-rich plasma & stem cell Rx) inconclusive results https://t.co/IPyRFad9GX
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Saphnelo (anifrolumab) has been recommended for approval in EU by CHMP for systemic lupus erythematosus (on top of standard therapy) as a once-weekly pre-filled pen.
Recommendation based on TULIP-SC Phase III trial. https://t.co/VRUycfLRtf https://t.co/O7cQfkb8BU
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12 yr study of 115 Systemic Sclerosis pts shows Finger-to-palm distance (tip 4th finger to distal palmar crease) may be a useful tool for predicting the progression of skin thickening and the development of digital ulcers in the early stages of severe SSc https://t.co/brCEz5Fqac https://t.co/tiVBdfH39q
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UK National Joint Registry study of 1.5 million TKR and THA (2010 to 2022); trends show median Length of hosp stay (LOS) decreased from 4.3d to 2.75 d for THR; & from 4.35d to 2.9d for TKR; & from 3.2d to 1.9d for UKR (unilat. knee replacement). Longer LOS with comorbidity, https://t.co/DNBZTPFRsl
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Phase 3b/4 head-to-head SELECT-SWITCH study tested Humira vs Rinvoq in 492 RA MTX pts failing a TNFi then Rx w/ ADA vs UPA x12 wks. UPA > ADA w/ DAS28-CRP < 3.2 (43% vs 22%; p<0.001) and also for DAS28-CRP < 2.6 (28% vs 14%). No new safety signals seen.https://t.co/EAJ9GglMjv https://t.co/uHTsdTPpWP
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Study from Czech ATTRA registry of 8,543 RA pts 641 (7.5%) met criteria for D2T-RA & 1,825 achieved remission (21%). D2T-RA predicted by machine learning models (accuracy 0.606–0.747, AUC 0.656–0.832). Predictors included CDAI, DAS28-ESR, TJC, HAQ, CRP, steroids https://t.co/PqgKzKhM6h
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30% of RA pts have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In 170 pts on MTX or biologics (TNFi, IL-6i)- NAFLD was found in 36%. MTX & biologics were not linked to NAFLD or fibrosis -- BUT was signif assoc w/ metabolic syndr, BMI, Waist, ALT, and AST (all p < .001) https://t.co/MpkxjHEbxK
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Bad Actor Cofactor (10.17.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports, discusses pediatric reports, pregnancy data, diet and nutrition and more
https://t.co/zDDLwwRSy9 https://t.co/2S8jPOY0Be
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Telitacicept Effective in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The NEJM has published a report from van Vollenhoven et al showing a new dual B cell inhibitor, telitacicept, to be effective when given to active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients; but this comes with a few https://t.co/lwq8ZUMTQ8
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SAIL-RA: Finding ILD in Early RA
Cohort study of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients finds that interstitial lung disease (ILD) begins early in the course of RA, with certain factors enhancing this risk.
https://t.co/nI0YuYd3YS https://t.co/YR3Gg1kr59
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FDA has approved Genentech’s CD20-targeting antibody obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. https://t.co/0eGwGnSDYf https://t.co/Z6w2iP4u3e
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Retrospective study of 423 seropositiv RA pts (SPRA) finds 21% with baseline ILD; over 10 yrs 31% had ILD. High monocyte counts signif higher in RA-ILD; whereas RF, CCP did not predict. Age & ILD predicted mortality - not monocytes, RF or CCP https://t.co/8H4wqZI3WQ https://t.co/dK9iHwj3cz
Links:
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Interleukin-18 (IL-18) regulates appetite, body weight & glucose homeostasis. IL-18 deficiency may lead to obesity, but chronic IL-18 signalling promotes liver fibrosis. IL-18 is Elevated in obesity and diabetes mellitus https://t.co/Xylvexqvtg https://t.co/sRutSCoLf9
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Study of biopsy proven lupus nephritis pts (1970-2024) - a total of 324 LN pts followed for median 9.9 yrs -- 30 (9.3%) developed Venous Thromboembolic event (VTE); time from LN to 1st VTE 4.4 yrs. Predictors were SLEDAI-2K score (HR= 1.05) and proteinuria level (HR 1.26)
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From the plenary to posters, RheumNow is your companion for ACR Convergence 2025. Expect:
• KOL videos
• Clinical trial highlights
• Daily faculty recaps
• Live streaming
#ACR25 #Rheumatology #ClinicalTrials https://t.co/zZAwYINmC2
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“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” –
Winston Churchill https://t.co/ZAcYBpOmjy
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