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Mentshlichkeit* (8.7.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and recent journal reports on RheumNow.com.
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Air Pollution Increases RA Activity and Flares
MedPage Today
In this study from Korea, levels of small particulate matter correlated with increased RA disease activity and risk for disease flares.
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UK Clinical Practice Research Database study RA pts 3134 on glucocorticoids (vs not 4142 matched controls). were identified. GC use assoc w/ signif risk of SSRI initiation risk - recent GC (adj OR 1.53) & past GC (aOR 1.40). GC effect or confounding dz activity? Think depression! https://t.co/WZLkQWlURC
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NSAIDs reduces age-related macular degeneration. TriNetX study (2015-2024) looked at non-AMD pts & showed NSAID use (n 634794) had signif less AMD at 6 mos (HR 0.31), 1 yr (0.36), 3 yrs (0.42) & 5 yrs (0.48); w/ signif protective effect (HR 0.58), Same for ASA (0.72) & https://t.co/Cgxrz92Omt
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Air Pollution Increases RA Activity and Flares
Koreans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed increased disease activity and higher flare rates when exposed to relatively high levels of small atmospheric particulate matter, researchers reported.
https://t.co/9dZkTzivRz https://t.co/Reic3P5U6r
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Rethinking Treatment of EGPA
Like MPA & GPA, the goals of EGPA are controlling initial organ damage and preventing relapse. But EGPA has the added challenge of chronic upper and lower respiratory tract involvement, allergic type 2 inflammations and risk of glucocorticoid https://t.co/KIVpyhsghg
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Korean study of 1070 #RA pts. assessed for Dz activity & monthly pollution exposure (SO2, NO2, ozone, CO, PM10, PM2.5). Among 6 pollutants, PM2.5 signif incr risk of flare (adj OR 1.11) & DAS28-CRP, CDAI, TJC, SJC; more so w/ in women & nonsmokers & w/ prolonged PM2.5 exposure https://t.co/HgtWMz9LMs
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“We may have all come on different ships; but we’re in the same boat now.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Arrhythmias in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease
A new review in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (Tamirisa et al) synthesizes how SLE, RA, and SSc have an increased risk of arrhythmias and SCD attributable to shared immune pathways. These facts substantiate the https://t.co/j9AW26LE66
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Best proof of difference betw Seropos vs seroneg RA from TREAT-EARLIER 12 mos study 236 clinically suspect arthralgia pts w/ subclinical Jt inflammation Rx w/ MTX vs PBO. MTX prevented RA only the seroneg RA (9 v 35%); But no protection in seropos RA (58 vs 65%) https://t.co/ufY9ZJmKgf
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COLIPSO prospective study of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis adults starting ts/bDMARDs; MRI done serially. 35 pts f/u for ~29 wks - MASLD. Only Rx w/ IL-17 inhibitors improved liver fat and inflammation in psoriatic disease as well as clinical outcomes. https://t.co/MFjvh5OJg2 https://t.co/k0C7RSvaaR
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In a Cohort of 410 #SLE pts, there were 37 MALES who demonstrated a high prevalence of renal (IV/V lupus nephritis 49%) and a notable incidence of Plaquenil-related retinal toxicity. 62% on HCQ, but 22% D/C HCQ due to retinal toxicity or drug intolerance. https://t.co/VISwHO1wcK https://t.co/6SoD6mD5tf
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True or False: Neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) was associated with a higher odds ratio for cerebral atrophy compared to age.
See if you got it right in this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/yQn8cIT5Cw. https://t.co/YjHwLFclv4
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U Alberta Rheumatology study of GCAPS score in 62 new onset, suspected GCA referrals. GCA Dx in 39 pts excluded in 23. 50% had a High risk GCAPS (screening) score, 38% Intermediate & 13% had Low risk GCAPs. Intermediate or High risk GCAPS sensitivity 97%, specificity 30%, PPV 70% https://t.co/gKD1Je3QRH
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True or False: In a 6-month RCT for refractory ITP, combining baricitinib with danazol achieved a durable response rate more than double that of danazol monotherapy. Take this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/yQn8cIT5Cw to see if you got it right! https://t.co/MJSw1gYUob
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New Avacopan Analysis Sent to FDA
After data manipulation allegations, the FDA has been calling for the vasculitis drug to be pulled from the market since January.
Amgen has submitted a third-party review of avacopan's (Tavneos) pivotal trial data and other analyses to the FDA https://t.co/zBg4pFBfSP
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Top 20 Best Rheumatology Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report has published its Best Hospitals for 2026-2027, listing the best among many specialties, including rheumatology. At the top of the list are Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), https://t.co/IjGwcDQehq
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A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)
The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74.
https://t.co/Qti4Nay6NX https://t.co/gjmY7G4XAc
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JAMA Review of Hip Fracture
The July 16th edition of JAMA reviews the highly prevalent problem of hip fractures - a major global health burden: 14.2 million occur worldwide annually (280,000 in the US), with global incidence higher in women (833.9/100,000) than men https://t.co/KBUovkYPB1
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Cassi Calabrese @CCalabreseDO easy overview of vaccinating IMID pts. Vaccinating IMID pts. Stresses risk-based approach: RZV for all JAK-i/anifrolumab pts regardless of age; time COVID vax around rituximab; annual flu + PCV20/21 for all immunosuppressed; RSV ≥75 or younger w/ https://t.co/AHykuqJn2N
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