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A Role for Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Lupus
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus, as their primary product, type I interferon, drive systemic lupus erythematosus and cutaneous lupus erythematosus. A recent comprehensive review synthesizes the available data on pDCs, and, importantly, what we still don't know.
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Early GI Involvement Predictive of Scleroderma Outcomes
Rheumatology has published a cohort study showing that earlyGI symptoms and overall symptom burden predict both GI progression and mortality in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
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Hydroxychloroquine: 5 mg/kg/day Is Only the Starting Point
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is one of the most important drugs in rheumatology, especially for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It reduces flares, organ damage, cardiovascular events, and pregnancy complications, and it improves survival.
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Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Following Uveitis
A Korean insurance claims data study showed children and adolescents diagnosed with uveitis have a 7-fold increased risk of developing an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder (IMID).
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Press release of early study of IMVT-1402 (human mAb targeting FcRn) Open-label Rx in 170 active, refractory RA showed ACR 20/50/70 of 73%/54%/36% at wk 16. Next, Responders will do a blinded withdrawl - blinded results to follow. https://t.co/Mzmb3PPvMF https://t.co/oZ99l9VJQU
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RheumNow’s global faculty reporters help translate the data into clinical practice.
Featuring:
✨ Dr. Janet Pope (@Janetbirdope)
✨ Dr. Yuz Yusof (@Yuz6Yusof)
✨ Dr. Jiha Lee (@JihaRheum)
✨ Dr. Mrinalini Dey (@DrMiniDey)
✨ Dr. Aurelie Najm (@AurelieRheumo)
✨ Dr. Bella https://t.co/0Pm0uUwRNf
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True or False: In a registry of SLE patients, RNP-positive patients showed lower disease activity and less prednisone use. If you think you know the answer, prove it in this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/DTabBEfjj9
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Kissei Pharmaceuticals announced 20 deaths related to receiving avacopan (Tavneos), a vasculitis drug sold by the firm in Japan. Drug was released in June 2022, since its been given to ~8,500 pts. Avacopan safety is being reviewed by FDA with Amgen. https://t.co/ri0nROCL5U https://t.co/jbksrWMFwI
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FDA has approved a dosing update for burosumab-twza (Crysvita, Kyowa Kirin) to allow for increased dose and frequency when needed in adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). https://t.co/EPyp6tDsaf https://t.co/1HEaQRk9BR
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Goofy study of the month! (pub in JAMA!) RCT 170 adults w/ chronic LBP + MRI disc herniation found that amoxicillin-clavulanate, 500 mg/125 mg bid x 3 mos did not improve pain at 3 or 12 mos (vs PBO). Whatha... https://t.co/njrw6itAP8 https://t.co/CW2ssNPxf1
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Prospective study of 40 newly Dx, Tx-naïve RA pts starting MTX; Of serum cytokines tested, high baseline IL-6 & IL-17 was assoc w/ nonresponse to MTX. Yet, still not good response biomarkers. TNF-α & GM-CSF did not assoc w/ MTX outcomes https://t.co/YIQKop9LMH https://t.co/XxwcRsKwoM
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Israel study 264,858 pregnancies- 1st trimester NSAID exposure had no risk of congenital malformations (MCM). 8% exposed vs unexposed: overall MCM 8.2% v 7%; aRR 0.99). MCMs not incr = MSK, CV, CNS, cleft palate, GI, GU, nonsignif MSM aRR from 0.77- 1.05 https://t.co/ytYhBFl44o https://t.co/1fq4D1KykM
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ABA versus HCQ in Palindromic Rheumatism
Palindromic rheumatism may develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could be an at-risk population. A pilot trial compared abatacept (ABA) versus hydroxychloroquine and demonstrated ABA reduces RA development in a 2 year study. https://t.co/z0ptEYdhQj
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APR: Fibromyalgia
Dr. Jack Cush reviews Fibromyalgia as part of the Advanced Practice Rheum video series.
https://t.co/jq6dSXy6SU https://t.co/bDGRhhY2D9
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In this week's RheumIQ quiz: An RA patient has a current or new cancer. With which cancer should you avoid/stop the use of a TNF inhibitor? See if you got it right at https://t.co/DTabBEfjj9 https://t.co/tVYUEjAPy3
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Study of 305 newly Dx axSpA pts (age 38 yrs; 55% male, Dx delay 6yrs, 75% B27+). Clinical Dx, without Xray/imaging in 12%, 5% developed sacroiliitis during 8 yr F/U. r-axSpA mostly male w/ ^CRP https://t.co/zGjb3uSkjP https://t.co/3bdGAvKXAm
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Medical Economics reports only 18% MDs practiced in MD-owned settings, a new low. By Jan '26 hospitals or corporate employment rose to 550,494 & independent MDs fell to 120,900 https://t.co/l0tt3yO9kt https://t.co/pkgmHFPjE1
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Depression screening (PHQ-8) equally accurate in pts w/ & w/o chronic pain. Depression screening is not biased by overlapping symptoms in depression and chronic pain. https://t.co/UWf97NDPAK https://t.co/7dvt35RT9E
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Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush discusses his favorite journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/MzqDykG78w https://t.co/z7BsADXo4x
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Update on Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis
Have you ever seen multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH)? Don't worry, it's a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis condition characterized by papulonodular skin lesions and symmetric erosive polyarthritis, and it has only been https://t.co/koXOwktDgA
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