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Dermatomyositis Reviewed

d Jack Cush, MD

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options.

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Inefficiencies of ANA Testing

d Jack Cush, MD

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).

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Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis

d Jack Cush, MD

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 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) over the last 20 years. 

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Lung.Pleural.inflamm.AI

RA leads to ILD: but ILD does not lead to RA

d Jack Cush, MD

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, and approximately 30%-40% of patients develop pulmonary complications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the causal relationship between the two has long been unclear.

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Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - NEJM Review

d Jack Cush, MD

Sandborg et al. has published an overview of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - its classification, biology, genetics, , clinical presentations and treatment advances in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

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Retrospective study of FDG-PET scans at Int. Medicine tertiary hosp (2015-2020), included 260 adult IM pts - indications: infx 42%, inflammation 35%, suspected CA 17%. 80% were helpful; 40% Rx changed. 23% neg. results; 9% made the Dx; 43% PET superior to other imaging. Less https://t.co/2UG2npJgRg
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Retrospective study of 63 pts w/ Cryoglobulinemia (essential mixed [EM], CTD-related) vasculitis (CryoVas) in remission post RTX induction. W/ 58 mos F/U Relapse rates were 23%, 42%, 71% (@ 1yr, 2yrs, 5yrs). Relapse risk w/ purpura [HR 2.2] & prior CryoVas flare (HR 1.9). https://t.co/6zGgSN8Wfe
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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/466wOjTSGS

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
COVID Vaccine study in rheum pts on JAKi (n 22) or TNFi (n 16) Showing 50% response in JAKi and 81% w/ TNFi Rx. Pt PBMCs were stim by SAR-CoV2 spike proteins & CD4+ T cells IFNγ production as Pos. response. Do JAKi impair COVID-19 Vax responses? https://t.co/dZAktwrytf https://t.co/mjkBfcGcfD

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Full read overview of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and their downside - immune related Adverse Events https://t.co/h1AzFaGVMz https://t.co/s75UdhE1HK

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Survey of 39 Spanish rheumatologists (mean age 50 yrs, 9.6 yrs in practice) finds that while 79% agreed on the importance of using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), only 28% use them routinely (mostly pain, VAS, HAQ) - reason? Time! https://t.co/YnZBXlK24M https://t.co/a8W52XO8jh

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Japans IORRA study of 10,613 RA pts (2007-21) - 915 deaths from cancer (28%), lung Dz (22%), CV Dz (16%). Protective Rx were MTX and bDMARDs, while even low-dose glucocorticoids showed increased mortality risk. https://t.co/lV5WmC5l1X https://t.co/QncyqXSRE9

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
AMN Healthcare report on MD salaries -- high demand for specialist MDs w/ RHEUM the 7th Most In-Demand. 2024/205 Rheum were low of $214K, a high of $450K, median of $341,000. Avg salary for NPs is $180K up from $164,000 last year, a 9.6% increase. https://t.co/NcmwrMxpKr https://t.co/a86NvQhZry

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Retrospective review of 9 #RA pts w/ elevated liver enzymes who were Rx w/ TNF inhibitor (4 adalimumab, 5 etanercept; 78% female, median BMI 37). Over 3 yrs F/U, LFTs declined, fibrosis scores (FIB-4) signif decreased; albumin & bilirubin remained stable https://t.co/Hcwa3qaupv https://t.co/OwGY5jxxyZ

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Potentially novel RA vaccine of recombinant HLA-DRB1 04:01 bound to type II collagen (COL2) peptide COL2259-273 that was chemically modified at glycine position 265 & shows to suppress collagen induced arthritis in human DRB1 04:01-expressing mice https://t.co/TtBt49DQDa https://t.co/qMXzmvNc1b

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Review of macrophage phenotypes (M1, M2, etc) in rheumatic diseases. In RA synovial Tiss macrophages - are MerTK+CD206+ w/ remission and MerTK−CD206− w/ active inflammation. Tissue fibrosis in PSS driven by Profibrotic CD206+ and CD163+ cell subsets https://t.co/vIG7SYsaWq https://t.co/OKnzOFIlKr

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Pipeline of drugs being developed for Scleroderma by these companies - Bayer, Novartis, GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene Corp., Johnson & Johnson, Prometic, Cytori arGentis - either as fusion proteins, peptides, small molecule, mAb, Polymern& Gene therapy https://t.co/dWRcQ1a3GU
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A New RA Approval (8.1.2025) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA https://t.co/hHNvdOKp2z https://t.co/lUAZM7bY7X

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUMATOLOGIST Survey: How has your career/practice evolved in the last 20 years? Click here>>https://t.co/wyKkdUQclz a. just getting started… b. More research &scholarship c. Growing a successful practice d. Greater knowledge and expertise e. Closer to burn-out

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UL nerves. https://t.co/CvqjMC0p0o

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Mo Imam MoAImam ( View Tweet)
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