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Saliva and Uric Acid Testing

Jack Cush, MD

A recent report from China reaffirms the potential utility of salivary uric acid (UA) testing  delivers smartphone-guided, enzyme-free gout screening at home for pennies per test.

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Uric Acid: Is Lower Better?

Joshua Baker, MD, MSCE,  , Brian Coburn, MD, PhD

Lowering serum urate and urate crystals in the body is indispensable for long-term management of gout. The pathophysiology is simple and powerful: no urate crystals, no gout flares.

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ILD damage fibrosis path

EULAR26: ANCHOR-RA Study of RA-ILD

EurekAlert!

People with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), which is associated with high mortality.

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ICYMI: Worldwide Trends in Hyperuricemia

Jack Cush, MD

A Lancet Rheumatology systematic review shows the prevalence of hyperuricaemia has risen markedly over the past two decades in both men and women, owing to population growth, aging, and increasing age-specific rates

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EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA

EurekAlert!

EULAR recommends a combination of glucocorticoids with either rituximab or cyclophosphamide for remission induction in life-threatening or organ-threatening AAV, followed by gradual tapering of glucocorticoids.

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Eosinophil

ICYMI: EGPA Review

Jack Cush, MD

A current review of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) provides current recommendations on diagnosis and management.

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EULAR26: Updates in SLE and APS

EurekAlert!

Severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (srSLE) is a clinical state conceptualised as persistent high disease activity despite standard care with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.

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2026 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis

ACR

New and updated clinical guidelines released today provide comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) for both adults and children.

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Saliva and Uric Acid Testing A recent report from China reaffirms the potential utility of salivary uric acid (UA) testing delivers smartphone-guided, enzyme-free gout screening at home for pennies per test. https://t.co/VtvJuPNEWA https://t.co/pdBmy5JoQd

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
ARTIC trial enrolled 234 DMARD naive RA (<2yrs) pts; 15.4% (36) were seronegative (SNRA). @enrollment SNRA worse than SPRA(+) w/ higher SJC (17 vs 8, p<0.001), DAS28 (3.9 vs 3.4, p=0.03), US scores (55 vs 25, p<0.001), MD global (49 vs 39, p=0.006). No diff in Sharp score, https://t.co/xDxQKY8ZG2
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Metanalysis of 31 studies (14,548 pts) looked at infection in idiopathic inflamm myopathy (IIMs). Infection prevalence was 24%, primarily Respiratory tract. PJP, aspergillosis, H zoster most prevalent pathogens. Risk factors: older age, male, DM, HTN,MDA5+ (OR 3.41), rapidly https://t.co/Go51MUOQlG
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Congratulations to Dr. Chandra Mohan and Univ. of Houston for receiving a $4 million NIH grant for a 10-year longitudinal study to identify the earliest biological triggers of autoimmune disease https://t.co/6kMcv9PD5r https://t.co/CsY8QAxrXR

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
While not a validated Dx tool for gout, AI retinal scanning of digital fundus photography was tested on 107730 pts & showed high ROC - f NIDDM 0.833, Gout 0.832, OP 0.787, HTN 0.740, hyperlipidemia 0.736 & thyroid Dz 0.699 https://t.co/1yrlR04z4g https://t.co/c04YtVVERY

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUMATOLOGIST SURVEY ON GOUT - In what percentage of your new Gout patients, do you do arthrocentesis and crystal ID? Answer here: https://t.co/jpebQev4VU

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

New research shows synovial lining enriched in macrophages expressing SPP1 (encoding osteopontin) in proximity to fibroblasts and fibrin deposits. SPP1+ macrophages degrade fibrin & promote fibroblast proliferation that deposit collagen & does the damage, joint remodeling. A new https://t.co/yFxwAYFPPb
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
New research shows synovial lining enriched in macrophages expressing SPP1 (encoding osteopontin) in proximity to fibroblasts and fibrin deposits. SPP1+ macrophages degrade fibrin & promote fibroblast proliferation that deposit collagen & does the damage, joint remodeling. A new https://t.co/hrJoQXpAH8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAMA HBV review - Worldwide, HBV affects ~254 million, causing 1.1 million deaths. In 2022, 14k new HBV infx in the US. HBsAg = ongoing infxn; HBsAb indicates immunity; HBcAg=ongoing or past infection. Do HBV DNA for virus-replication activity https://t.co/Yvdx09DrQ5 https://t.co/88VsTEgFev

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RT @aurelierheumo A long release version of xanthine oxidase inhibitor in gout -442 pts 36 wks -HR091506 vs febuxostat -SUA <300 μmol/L: 63.8% vs 40.7% (Δ +22.9%, p<0.0001) -higher SUA reduction vs baseline -Similar overall TEAEs (~90%) A molecule to keep an eye on! #LB0008

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Prospective study of 6 newly Dx RA pts starting MTX shows MTX causes a decline in T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and plasmablasts (@ wk 3 before clin response), selectively in responders but not nonresponders. MTX shifts cellular & gene expression towards a more physiological https://t.co/scmfAAE9XA
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Is there a path to precision medicine in #RA? Theres a substantial unmet need. Immunoengineering is possible thru nanotechnological delivery vectors, cellular therapeutics, & biomaterial scaffolds, with compelling preclinical and early clinical support. https://t.co/gL56EOlt7p https://t.co/31IRNXckym

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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