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Big Fat FDA Pink Slip (9.19.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com. Today we cover GLP-1 agonists, acupuncture, what JAKs won’t do & an FDA Pink Slip.
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Did Hydroxychloroquine Reduce COVID-19 Mortality?
A multicenter study investigated the association between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage and COVID-19 mortality among hospitalized patients from multiple medical centers in China. The analysis focused on dose effects of HCQ on mortality.
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GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
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MedPage Today
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who used GLP-1 receptor agonists had less disease activity and improved cardiovascular biomarkers, a small retrospective study indicated.
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SMART study - Single vs. Split Dose Methotrexate in RA
Split dose weekly, oral methotrexate (MTX) was shown to be superior to single dose MTX in treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
https://t.co/K0C63GgHvn https://t.co/FTJ11fpKnB
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Methyl-prednisolone plus methotrexate-based regime vs prednisone-based standard of care for giant cell arteritis: a propensity score study https://t.co/kmLy6NXFO1
Luis Caminal caminalm ( View Tweet)
Optimal glucocorticoid therapy in lupus nephritis
🔓https://t.co/e6SjmOrRpw
➡️This review provides an in-depth analysis of glucocorticoid therapy for lupus nephritis, a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus that affects up to 51.7% of patients https://t.co/JftCQiFif1
Links:
NDT NDTsocial ( View Tweet)
🎓 Learning just got smarter.
Every week, RheumIQ challenges you with a quick quiz on current rheumatology updates.
💡 Educational
🎯 Evidence-based
🧠 Addictive (in a good way)
Try it now and level up your clinical knowledge: https://t.co/mVZhEpn3lo https://t.co/4cMTZXxsUk
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of urinary soluble CD163 levels in 214 SLE pts (129 w/ LN), found urinary CD163 highly correlates w/ UPCR, active vs inactive states, predicts Renal Bx histologic activity (AUC 0.962) & renal dz flares & allows prediction of complete, partial and non-responders https://t.co/HNKAuFDgPG
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Controversies in ILD
This deep dive into controversies in interstitial lung disease explored complex topics including IPAF, methotrexate, systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease vs. connective tissue disease distinctions, and the evolving role of anti-fibrotic therapy. Panelists: https://t.co/ekP1Gg73yj
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
GLP-1 drugs cost-effective for knee osteoarthritis and obesity
A new study led by investigators at Mass General Brigham finds that adding novel weight loss GLP-1 drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide to usual care represents a cost-effective treatment strategy for people with knee https://t.co/pqWDEUgYmI
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
🆕 Collaboration with @RheumNow 🔵
3-Part Series on #InterstitialLungDisease
Part2️⃣: Diagnosis & Subtypes of #ILD 🫁
👩🏻⚕️ What to look for on Physical Exam
🧪 Serologic Testing & Diagnostic Workup
🫁 Differentiating ILD Subtypes on Imaging
#RheumX #Pulmonology #MedTwitter #MedX https://t.co/X8cJVx2PCV
Mithu Maheswaranathan, MD MithuRheum ( View Tweet)
SARD-ILD: Significant diagnostic and treatment delays
Should we be screening all our patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) for interstitial lung disease?
https://t.co/WyccifEHtY https://t.co/S6X5AhZCjz
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Infections cause high morbidity & mortality in our immunocompromised rheum patients: vaccinations are essential to keep them healthy.
Best time to administer vaccines?
1. Before immunosuppression
2 during periods of dz control
3. >1 vaccines need pt input
@LCalabreseDO #CCRW25 https://t.co/oBgXlIk1TY
TheDaoIndex KDAO2011 ( View Tweet)
KDIGO is excited to share the publication of the 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of IgA Nephropathy (#IgAN) and IgA Vasculitis (#IgAV), along with the Executive Summary in @Kidney_Int.
Read the Guideline in KI: https://t.co/Ygwhu3rizm
Download the Executive https://t.co/jio8N1C7KP
Links:
KDIGO goKDIGO ( View Tweet)
This is a pivotal trial. 187 pt w/ incomplete lupus (ANA+ plus 1-2 criteria, but not qualifying as SLE) shows that HCQ does not prevent progression to SLE! Congrats to these researchers lead by Nancy Olsen et al. https://t.co/NnrA8ohiGX
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
August 29, 2025, FDA has terminated the Arthritis Advisory Committee, citing infrequent meetings & that the effort and expense of maintaining the committee “is no longer justified.”
The committee last met on 5/6/21 to review avacopan - that was subsequently approved. REALLY? https://t.co/w3Z6TszeWZ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Join us Sept 23 @ 7PM ET for the next Rheum to Breathe Journal Club!
We’ll dive into two pivotal ILD studies:
📄 FIBRONEER (Nerandomilast in PPF) – NEJM 2025
📄 RECITAL (Rituximab vs Cyclophosphamide in CTD-ILD) – Lancet
Panelists: Dr. Toby Maher, Dr. Shervin Assassi
Moderator: https://t.co/l8EkX2hkLs
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ILD and Mortality in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Dr. Bryant England, Lincoln, NE, discusses interstitial lung disease and mortality in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month https://t.co/wtg9Te6oth
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SARD-ILD and serious infection risk: The elephant in the room
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains one of the largest unmet clinical needs across many systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). ILD is highly prevalent across systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue https://t.co/oxIteGfUTd
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
QD Clinic: Application of the ACR CHEST Guidelines to Two Cases
Dr. Sindhu Johnson, Toronto, discusses two cases that where the application of the ACR CHEST guidelines for the screening, monitoring and treatment of SSc-ILD and Rapidly Progressive ILD are applied, as part of https://t.co/ntW2WIvJ8c
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
