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ICYMI: AGA Guideline: Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in At-Risk Individuals
The American Gastroenterology Association has published its revised clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in at-risk patients, particularly those with immune-mediated disease, receiving immunomodulatory therapy and steroids.
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ICYMI: TNF Inhibitor Drug-Induced Lupus
A study from the FDA's adverse event reporting system (FAERS or Medwatch) database identified cases of drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors - a paradoxical reaction to common antiinflammatory biologic agents.
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ICYMI: Proinflammatory Diet Increases Gout Risk
MedPage Today
Some dietary habits are worse than others when it comes to gout risk for women, a large study indicated. Data from the two iterations of the Nurses' Health Study, in which more than 170,000 women were followed for more than two decades, indicated that diets scoring high on the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP) index nearly doubled the risk for new-onset gout after adjusting for body mass index.
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PCR: Prevalence, Cost, & Risk (6.27.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from last week on RheumNow.com
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If you successfully taper off DMARDs in RA patients in remission, do you risk bringing new joints in the mix?
Leiden post-hoc trial: these patients don’t do worse than those who never get off drug.
Drug-free remission tricky but new joints not a worry. #EULAR2025 @RheumNow https://t.co/bwXgrB875k
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Clinical determinants of multiple drug failure in D2T RA
2000+ RA cohort 250+ refractory
-Low financial status
-Cancer Hx
-CV comorbidities
-Chronic use of NSAID or GCs
Protective: Regular participation in leisure activities
#POS0030 @RheumNow #EULAR2025 https://t.co/mdePGkHU82
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Glucocorticoid Tapering in SLE
Dr. Yuz Yusof discusses abstract POS1224 presented at the 2025 EULAR meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
https://t.co/oI992YLvnB https://t.co/mPmMxcpMey
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Rituximab - Super Responders Exist in SLE
Dr. Yuz Yusof reports on abstract POS0325 presented at the 2025 EULAR meeting in Barcelona.
https://t.co/LkYzMtsErn https://t.co/awRhQmbhoT
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Pregnancy in SLE: Risks Extend Beyond Clinical Concerns
Pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) continues to carry significantly elevated risks, with maternal mortality rates nearly five times higher than in the general population.
https://t.co/3G7Eftt0Kg https://t.co/X3SUl6FTHO
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FDA has approved a SC autoinjector of Benlysta (BEL) for use in pediatric lupus nephritis & pts > 5rs of age for SLE and active LN. BEL SC dosing for Pediatric SLE: 200 mg qwk (>40 kg) or 200 mg EOW (q2wk) if 15-40 kg. https://t.co/zrskHdw9Jx https://t.co/jkqygmfJPv
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Full read overview of MDA-5 Dermatomyositis (DM) - pathogenesis, findings, & Rx. MDA-5 DM is a rare, aggressive amyopathic form with distinctive skin findings & rapidly progressive interstitial lung dz. Rx includes Hi dose steroids, calcineurin inhib & IV CTX (maybe JAKi, MMF)
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FDA adds new warning for "myocarditis" to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines (prev mainly assoc w/ Moderna) - risk is 8 per 1 million people for those on 2023-2024 COVID shots, most common in males ages 12 to 24. Generally good outcomes seen. https://t.co/QZbTRaKGH1 https://t.co/1cAUw73eqF
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Jekyll and Hyde: which RA-ILD is it?
Dr. David Liew reports on abstract OP0329 presented at the EULAR 2025 meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
https://t.co/oH9nXaKRDz https://t.co/iUAJk2Q856
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Prospective KORAIL study of 138 RA pts w/ ILD on chest CT -60% had UIP ILD. After F/U of 2.9 yrs, 35% had RA-ILD progression. Baseline predictors of progression = UIP, ILD >10 %, DLCO %pred, CCP+, KL-6 levels, RA Dz activity. Useful to ID high-risk RA-ILD pts.
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Korean Health claims data study of 35,133 newly Dx, seropositive #RA pts (2011 to 2020) & 1,386 (3.9%) were Dx w/ new-onset stroke (CVA). Signif. lower risk of CVA w/ SSZ (aOR: 0.79) or HCQ (aOR: 0.83), but Increased risk w/ glucocorticoids (aOR: 1.71) & tocilizumab (aOR: 3.47) https://t.co/rPaj6cH74K
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Using Veterans Affairs data (2006 - 2020) on RA-ILD patients, a target emulation trial showed no difference in mortality or respiratory hospitalization comparing RA-ILD Rx w/ either RTX, abatacept, tocilizumab, tofacitinib. Does this mean? they Dont Work or the Do Work? https://t.co/MkQmKsE3WQ
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What would it take for JAKs to ROCK the boat?
JAK inhibitors have taken a beating over the last three years. The excitement and potential has been tempered by mounting cardiovascular safety concerns, but specifically in at-risk patients, compared to TNF inhibitors. https://t.co/tgfsU3uFVo
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
post hoc MRI study from Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) of 210 knee OA pts (mean age 64) Rx w/ either IA corticosteroids or hyaluronate (HA). Bboth reduced pain post-injx (WOMAC -5.2 CS & -2.1 HA), CS had worse progression (cartilage, BM lesions, meniscus) vs controls & HA https://t.co/pbb1ePXob1
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Upcoming Lupus Nephritis Pipeline
1. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) – due for FDA/EMA decision
2. Saphnelo IV (anifrolumab) – now in Phase III (new indication for LN
3. Ianalumab SC (Dual-action B-cell inhibitor) – now in Phase III https://t.co/mTInV8JXzq https://t.co/3qg1FWzZRI
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Lichenoid rash vs SCLE? JAMA Dermatology case - 60yoM w/ https://t.co/xl11CwB1AJ problems & meds has pink-red papules (central hypopigmentation) on arms, chest, back (no fungus). Bx= lichenoid dermatitis. Rash worsened, red & annular; Dx now SCLE +ANA/Ro/La) from diltiazem. SCLE
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