People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are at risk of a number of comorbidities, from cardiovascular diseases to cognitive impairment and fractures. The 2026 EULAR Congress showcased new data and ideas around various comorbidities and drug safety issues in people with an RMD – highlighting the need for integrated care. Here are five abstracts to consider.
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The first day of EULAR 2026 in London featured the opening ceremonies, a plenary session, posters nd the first round of major oral presentations to an audience of nearly 15,000 attendees. Here are a few of my favorites from the first day.
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Clinicians often come across the scenario of a patient with well-controlled spondyloarthritis where the ASDAS in the low disease activity range, CRP normalised, joints clinically quiet. However, the patient returns to the clinic still reporting significant pain. Their rheumatologist adjusts the biological, waits, returns. The pain persists.
Antoni Chan MD (Prof)
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Tofacitinib achieved ASDAS inactive disease in 26.4% of patients with early #axSpA (back pain ≤2 years) vs 7.4% placebo at 16 weeks (p=0.006). First RCT of advanced therapy in very early axSpA Abstr#0241 @RheumNow #EULAR2026
Antoni Chan MD (Prof)
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Day 2 of #EULAR2026 Studies to look forward today in #axSpA: new classification criteria performance, sex differences in disease progression, early disease treatment data, primary care education to reduce delays to diagnosis @RheumNow
🤰What happens to RA disease activity during pregnancy?
🔴 Most remain stable
🔴 70% with high disease activity at baseline improve
🔴 20% flare again post-partum
✨ACPA+ improve more
✨ Better outcomes after 2016 (after modern treatments)
OP0242 #EULAR2025 @rheumnow https://t.co/i3X566DcN6
sheila
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Roc-SpA study
Active axSpA dse + inad response to TNFi ➡️switch or cycled
No significant diff in ASDAS40 at wk24 bet IL-17i & 2nd TNFi
Switching to IL-17i not superior to cycling to 2nd TNFi after inad. response to 1st TNFi
Shared decision is key
AbsOP0235 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/3UP37IEgXv
#EULAR2026 OP002 In 20 active #lupus nephritis patients with paired kidney biopsy at baseline & 1 yr, urine proteomics showed histology response correlated with restoration of immune, coagulation and ECM-remodelling pathways. Need to advance this liquid biopsy in clinic @RheumNow https://t.co/KaZSYlA9V1
Aurelie Najm
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What if we let RA patients choose ttmt?
BACH RCT choice between Filgo / scTNFi vs. standard randomisation
55% JAKi vs 45% TNFi
Higher ttmt satisfaction 46 vs 33 p=0.012
Less ttmt switches 6 vs 15 p=0.026
Less AE reported
Better drug survival
Shared decision making is key! https://t.co/1YS0y6YUEH
#OP0236: a look at the revised 2025 ASAS-SPARTAN classification criteria for axSpA from the global CLASSIC cohort. The updated criteria achieved 79.5% sensitivity & 90.4% specificity, with MRI & radiographic sacroiliitis remaining central to classification. #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/rVIqyCmB8K
Janet Pope
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Is there a ‘window
Of opportunity’ for Rx
#GCA w #IL6i
🤞
Obtain a better response
Rx GCA #GC
#TCZ
#Upadacitinib
#MTX
Study tries to answer if effects of #tocilizumab early vs >8wks is diff
N=471, 19% new GCA
Early vs late TCZ no dif
❎No
Not RCT
POS0624 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow
#EULAR2026 OP002 More encouraging news in #Sjogren. A Phase II RCT in N=30 patients with ESSDAI=>5 and/or ESSPRI=>5: Anifrolumab (IFN-IR mAb) improved CRESS response vs PBO (80% vs 30%). Impressive effect size for other endpoints too. Need definitive Phase III RCT @RheumNow https://t.co/W3GbA3gKIs
COMPARE Trial: CAR-T Cell Rx in 6 refractory active CCP+ RA pts (failed 4-7 prior b/tsDMARDs). After lymphodepletion w/ CTX + fludarabine, B cells depleted w/ neutropenia. Significant drops in CCP, RF, and DAS28, but at wk 12 only 50% ACR 20 response. Encouraging data but not https://t.co/txm32NkOKW
Aurelie Najm
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And we are on!
A full house for #EULAR2026 Opening ceremony highlighting @eular_org initiatives in the field of research, education and patient empowerment and a call “better care leading to better lives” by president Xenofon Baraliakos
@RheumNow https://t.co/zTQUFcjXBI
It’s that time of year again! 🎉
Delighted to once again be joining the @RheumNow faculty to bring you the highlights from #EULAR2026 in London!
@bella_mehta
@JihaRheum
@AurelieRheumo
@Janetbirdope
@Nellziade
@RHEUMarampa
@synovialjoints
@Yuz6Yusof https://t.co/WvhpYJJNUk
ACPA and the Transition from Arthralgia to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA), a common prequel to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), showed different patterns of symptoms and progression depending on whether they tested positive for https://t.co/pCaYdEg1gZ
Aurelie Najm
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"the further I look back, the further I can see the future"
Dennis McGonagle quoting Winston Churchill to describe his approach to understanding What is New in PsA at #EULAR2026
@eular_org @RheumNow https://t.co/ayInzzb9lO
#EULAR2026 OP0125 It’s a case of “teamwork makes the dream work!” Instead of an index to capture heterogeneity in #Sjogren activity, the NECESSITY validated using data from 16 RCTs that a new composite tool, STAR has high sensitivity & specificity. Vital for use in RCTs @RheumNow https://t.co/ftx1uBP11A


