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Weak Data (1.24.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, and features Dr. Charity Dean, the Keynote speaker at RheumNow Live 2025, and why she is an inspiration.
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Risk Prediction Modeling in MDA5 Dermatomyositis
Patients with Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) positive dermatomyositis (DM) are complicated and prone to interstitial lung disease, poor prognosis, and a high mortality. A new study suggests a risk prediction… https://t.co/v20ZCVZUQE https://t.co/GmWWQDpWUU
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SLE subphenotypes predisposed by distinct genetic risk loci. Multicenter 10 yr genotyping study on 1462 SLE pts (56% w/ lupus nephritis & 43% not LN) found significantly higher polygenic risk scores (PRS); significant LN variants included HLA, TNFAIP3, BLK, & STAT4.… https://t.co/5igpgtdE1U https://t.co/5KOXRThzlk
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SLE subphenotypes predisposed by distinct genetic risk loci. Multicenter 10 yr genotyping study on 1462 SLE pts (56% w/ lupus nephritis & 43% not LN) found significantly higher polygenic risk scores (PRS); significant LN variants included HLA, TNFAIP3, BLK, & STAT4.… https://t.co/zvYGct9aqG https://t.co/obgkHbXNWA
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ICYMI: Sex related differences in PsA
Different factors are known to influence disease characteristics and outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Recently, there is new evidence that sex-related differences play a role not only in disease manifestations but also in efficacy and… https://t.co/60vdbWLltB https://t.co/nY1CuJhKMb
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
#CRISPR reviewed in
👇
#fibroblasts
Found deletion of certain genes
Ex JIA had marked change in expression
Yr in Preview ACR24 @RheumNow @ACRheum
Dr Chris Ritchlin 👏 https://t.co/jnmtk1eXGp
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
Severe thrombocytopenia (TP) is rare but linked to major organ involvement and poor prognosis in #SLE. Data from the RISE registry shows TP in 9.3% of SLE patients, with higher prevalence in males, African-Americans+ those with multiple comorbidities.
#ACR24 @RheumNow abst#2680
Bella Mehta bella_mehta ( View Tweet)
#Scleroderma #molecular #signatures in #skin predict long term outcomes
👇worst with inflammatory signature
This may have clinical and trial applicability
Nice work!
Abst0711 #ACR24 @RheumNow @ACRheum https://t.co/3CFxu6bACu
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
Study on #SLE and ESRD using machine learning:
Developed model to identify patients with SLE and ESRD
Used NIH 'All of Us' dataset
XGBoost outperformed Random Forest
SDOH data improved model precision #ACR24 @rheumnow #MachineLearning abst#1876 https://t.co/PQ7u4Pj5OH
Bella Mehta bella_mehta ( View Tweet)
Abstract 1873: The impact of urbanization on lupus nephritis mortality is complex.
Race/ethnicity + income modify the effects
- Income ≥$50k + living in suburbs associated with lower odds of mortality due to LN in racial/ethnic minorities
@RheumNow #ACR24
Akhil Sood MD AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
Why is there female predominance in #SLE - the extra X chromosome in females (XX) may not be inactivated properly- usually maintained by the long non-coding RNA #Xist
#ACR24 abst#2599 @RheumNow https://t.co/C9Qj5zSnpN
Bella Mehta bella_mehta ( View Tweet)
Abstract 1876: Developed a machine learning model w/ #SDoH covariates to accurately identify patients with SLE and ESRD in NIH All of US dataset
@RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/TLDSiBZZPs
Akhil Sood MD AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
A#2528
Hes1/Piezo1 Pathway - role in osteocyte response to mechanical stimulus
Yoda1 - Piezo1 agonist shown to help fx healing in mice
Piezo1 decrease in GIOP
Basic sci research shows activation of pathway promotes mechanical stress response, decr GIOP
#ACR24 @RheumNow
Eric Dein ericdeinmd ( View Tweet)
A#2530
ANA reactive CD4 cells: elevated B cell help activation in SjD
Unique autoreactive T cell cluster in SSc shows CD4+ TRAIL+ IFN type I - unique to SSc
Leads to decrease activation of APCs, decrease CD4 T effector fxn
@RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/4JnA3SpVM8
Eric Dein ericdeinmd ( View Tweet)
Now we have GWAS, we are getting polygenic risk scores for RA, and we can see what disease risks cluster with RA risk.
RA genetic risk clusters with risk for:
type 1 diabetes
thyroiditis
multiple sclerosis
What draws these diseases together?
#ACR24 ABST1365 @RheumNow https://t.co/28gU1nBEUG
David Liew drdavidliew ( View Tweet)
#1689: race-neutral 🫁 function equations in SSc improve equity:
🔹 Race-specific equations underestimate disease severity in Black patients.
🔹 Switching to race-neutral reclassified 45% of Black patients to more severe, 16% of White patients to less severe
@RheumNow #acr24 https://t.co/BfK2PsCMX5
Caoilfhionn Connolly CaoilfhionnMD ( View Tweet)
#2282
🔬 Personalised Approach to TNFi in RA
📊 N=50👇; 43 responders
🔑 Findings
💥TNFR2 rs1061622 polymorphism linked to TNFi response
💥 MR/RR alleles ⬆️ 10X odds non-response v. MM allele (OR = 10.1,p=0.04)
🎯Genotyping may guide personalized RA therapy.
#ACR24 @RheumNow https://t.co/MQKZUCEPxj
Caoilfhionn Connolly CaoilfhionnMD ( View Tweet)
Navigating Positive ANA: Leveraging AI for better triage
Abstract 1526: Markus et al. developed a machine learning model to predict progression to SLE, utilizing diagnoses, meds, procedures, and labs collected 2 years before and 5 years after +ANA.
@RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/2zzSH8Pb0e
Links:
Akhil Sood MD AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
What is my risk of developing SLE?
Abstract 0843 highlights a predictive model that accurately classifies SLE risk using genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Model 3 (genetics + environment + lifestyle) performed the best compared to models 1 and 2.
@RheumNow #ACR24 https://t.co/sk9oG0OY3W
Akhil Sood MD AkhilSoodMD ( View Tweet)
#0066
🧬Epigenetics, Gut Microbiota & RA
🔬 110 RA patients v 110 controls
🦠 Collinsella abundance a/w DNA methylation changes (PRHOXNB, TBC1D22A) in RA, correlating with disease activity.
💡❔Role of gut microbiota & epigenetic markers as RA biomarkers
#ACR24 @RheumNow https://t.co/yZn0KkRpE6
Caoilfhionn Connolly CaoilfhionnMD ( View Tweet)


