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Chondrocalcinosis Increases Osteoarthritis Risk
Analysis of data from two large, prospective cohort studies show that knee chondrocalcinosis was associated with an increased risk of incident knee osteoarthritis.
Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices
RheumNow surveyed clinicians worldwide on how their rheumatology practice, treatment decisions, and career outlooks have changed over the past 20 years. 242 respondents (68% from the USA) shared their perspectives on the changing landscape of rheumatoid arthritis care, practice patterns, and professional development.
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2025 ACR Guidance on Diagnosis and Management of VEXAS
The ACR has published a formal international consensus guidance on VEXAS as a resource for clinicians seeking to understand the disease and its management.
French OL trial of PCV13 vaccination in 248 early, DMARD Naive RA pts starting MTX @ same time or after 1 month delay. 1 mo delay in MTX resulted in significantly higher responses (46%, 65%) vs. pts vax while taking MTX. Signif responses seen 1 yr later. RA activity equal betw. https://t.co/AnqK89ZJtE
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/nz8F2lBwe5
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Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.
https://t.co/Hx1aAdiTOy https://t.co/gwyDweXIbS
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Dermatomyositis Reviewed
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options.
https://t.co/Dm85RL99UU https://t.co/zHVBreQi58
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mid East/N African Survey on #SpA referrals.
- 190 Rheum responded (68% consultants, 53% tertiary,95% urban)
- 89% reported delay in axSpA presenting (most: Ortho, FP, internists)
- 2/3 Dx challenges
- > 60^ Pt non-adherence (side effects or Sx improvement) https://t.co/6jBdOqp2gM
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Mayo study of 659 incident RA pts finds Multimorbidity predicted 29% (OR:1.29) higher odds of RA flare, & 34% lower (OR:0.66) odds of remission. RA Flares assoc w/ female, smoking, younger age shorter Dz duration, but not seropositivity. Remission assoc w/ male, not smoking, https://t.co/yEwkQ63zIh
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Inefficiencies of ANA Testing
The Journal of Rheumatology has published an analysis of antinuclear antibody (ANA) multiplex testing showing its nonspecific utility and poor rate of return in identifying ANA-associated autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs). https://t.co/hojdPPtCcI
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2025 BSR Recommendations for ANCA-associated Vasculitis
The BSR and BHPR have published a guideline for the management of adults with AAV; specifically three conditions: GPA, MPA, and EGPA.
https://t.co/nYpbBK7Ahr https://t.co/XcfL4KRHlj
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Novartis announced top line results of its ianalumab (VAY736;B cell inhibitor) in primary Sjögren’s dz. 2 RCTs, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, met met primary endpoints w/ statistically significant improvements in disease activity in Sjögren’s patients. https://t.co/cIBhF3YJh3 https://t.co/YRTq6LEFhm
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey
RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys will examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.
https://t.co/hJSQ5mMJ6b https://t.co/7sBXpzkVLg
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Aging Quiets Lupus
UCSF researchers have found that epigentic changes in interferon genes over time may lead to lupus being less active as they age.
https://t.co/MLBFLXnXOQ https://t.co/9aacdZPoED
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference
you want to make." – Jane Goodall
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Full read review of DMARD effects on CV Risks. Strongest CV protective effects for MTX & TNF inhibitors. Potentially beneficial are sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, & leflunomide. More info needed on IL-6, IL-17/23 inhibitors. Concerns over NSAIDs & JAKi https://t.co/0BW4StS15N
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Large metanalysis of TNFi use in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (45 studies, 150K pts) shows no increased risk of de novo heart failure (HF), and no significant risk of HF worsening w/ TNFis. https://t.co/9sRVsMZ1kv https://t.co/igCdcQMVK3
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA
SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/MtVny1iBQ4
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Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for RA over the last 20 years.
https://t.co/4IDf1ZTl7w https://t.co/oM0bNXIw28
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RA leads to ILD: but ILD does not lead to RA
New research sheds light on the link between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A team from Taizhou Hospital used advanced multi-omics methods to explore the causal relationship between these two https://t.co/QbY6GC0KBZ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
