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No Extra Cancer Recurrence Risk with Biologics in RA
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MedPage Today
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Denmark with a history of solid tumor cancers, now in remission, faced no greater likelihood of cancer relapse when they were treated with biologic agents, compared with conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Read ArticleRheumatology: Believe It or Not (4/25/2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Should we believe the reviews and metanalyses?
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Simplistic overview of Lupus Nephritis - causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of lupus nephritis. https://t.co/QkLXUQcSqo https://t.co/pGjCHmoelG
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Unmet Needs in Still’s disease
In February 2023, an expert consensus panel of pediatric and adult rheumatologists met to address challenges in Still’s disease (SD), including systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset SD (AOSD). They addressed four main https://t.co/h6FNkQyoKj
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2025 BSR Guideline for Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
The British Society of Rheumatology has published its 2025 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA); addressing axial and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations including acute anterior uveitis, https://t.co/IRdxsZTFdC
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“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine."
– Lord Byron https://t.co/SWfnTPEJs0
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Better Responses with Chronotherapy for Baricitinib
A nonrandomized, open-label, controlled trial has shown superior efficacy when baricitinib was given at night (instead of day); attesting to the benefits of chronotherapy - selective dosing meant to target the body's diurnal https://t.co/jSrPdoOpmo
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Post-treatment Lyme Syndrome
Symptoms that persist long after Lyme disease is treated are not uncommon — a 2022 study found that 14% of patients who were diagnosed and treated early with antibiotic therapy would still develop Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD). https://t.co/mmwGCnARY8
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Senescent "Zombie" Cells and Low Back Pain
In a preclinical study led by McGill University researchers, two drugs targeting “zombie cells” have been shown to treat the underlying cause of chronic low back pain. The condition affects millions of people worldwide. https://t.co/UxHH3bMGkQ
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Diabetes Prevention with Hydroxychloroquine in Sjogren’s
A Taiwanese insurance claims analysis looked at HCQ use in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) and showed that HCQ exposure significantly reduces the risk of new onset diabetes in pSS. Conversely, higher doses of https://t.co/GS07GVp5pC
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🦋 This May, RheumNow brings you Lupus Unlocked – Keys to Mastery
Your one-stop hub for lupus education:
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#Lupus #Rheumatology https://t.co/rf4GveV3eh
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Metanalysis suggests MTX may be effective in knee OA. 6RCTs, 602 pts of MTX vs PBO, showed MTX significantly relieved pain (mean diff −0.44; P 0.0003) knee/hand OA; Functional improved for knee only, but no differences in quality-of-life outcome or adverse events https://t.co/lmBEnTLFHY
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Incr. neutrophils in RA synovium correlates w/ higher Dz activity and poorer Rx responses. Study of 55 #RA pts, 1/3 (17) enriched for synovial PMNs - these correlated w/ DAS28--CRP, synovial inflammation, and CD3+/CD68+ cell counts https://t.co/zz59w8MMUU https://t.co/R7Ruyab0wj
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Prevalence of ANCA Assoc Vasculitis (especially GPA) in Alaskan Natives (AN/AI) is high. GCA prevalence is lower than White populations, but higher than many others. AN/AI peoples w/ AAV & GCA may present at younger ages with more severe disease https://t.co/dhiu6sPGBk https://t.co/rNCo25HGcn
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Pairwise Network Metanalysis suggests that JAKi use may NOT be assoc w/ Gastrointestinal perforation (GIP), as suggested by the PI. 23 RCTs, (20,023 pts) followed for 24 wks. Incidence of JAKi GIP=0.19%. compared to csDMARDs this was not signif increased (RR 1.02; CI: 0.41-2.56). https://t.co/lLD9Tj6a9F
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Better Responses with Chronotherapy for Baricitinib
A nonrandomized, open-label, controlled trial has shown superior efficacy when baricitinib was given at night (instead of day); attesting to the benefits of chronotherapy - selective dosing meant to target the body's diurnal https://t.co/pEJIsJq0wE
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Post-treatment Lyme Syndrome
Symptoms that persist long after Lyme disease is treated are not uncommon — a 2022 study found that 14% of patients who were diagnosed and treated early with antibiotic therapy would still develop Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD). https://t.co/Qd6tqOkDBl
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

84 RA pts on CZP+MTX w/sustained LDA (CDAI ≤10) ≥ 12 wks. 1/2 OL withdrawal of MTX & @ wk 36, LDA was maintained in 85% on CZP+MTX vs 84% on CZP alone (w latter group having signif less GI Sxs (2.4% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.034) https://t.co/jGlNlmkae4 https://t.co/6e0ySRrRD4
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IL-17 inhibitors increase risk of IBD. TriNetX database study of PsO & AS pts starting IL-17i vs apremilast. 13,216 matched pts per group, 142 developed IBD w/ IL-17i vs. 60 with apremilast (aHR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.85–3.39). https://t.co/sSPqKsfbZ4 https://t.co/YCqDUzX9xq
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Castleman disease (CD) is a rare, non-clonal lymphoproliferative disorder w/ systemic sxs & maybe linked w/ herpesvirus 8, POEMS or TAFRO syndrome. Mimickers include lymphoma, sarcoma, IgG4-RD, Infections (EBV, HHV8, HIV, CMV, TB), Autoimmune Dz (RA, SLE, Stills) https://t.co/29M0jePXHd
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