Skip to main content
Rheum to Breathe Banner

Osteonecrosis: suspect with trauma, high-dose steroids, alcoholism, renal failure, transplantation, SLE, thrombotic states (e.g., sickle cell anemia, hemoglobinopathies), radiation injury, pancreatitis, gout, pregnancy, hyperlipidemia, & caisson disease (decompression sickness) https://t.co/y6iYd5fWZ2

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Associations in Rheumatology (10.3.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and important associations in rheumatology from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Read Article

ILD in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Moving Toward Better Outcomes

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is typically recognized for its striking skin rashes, vasculopathy, and muscle inflammation. Less visible, but equally significant, is lung involvement. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is increasingly acknowledged as a critical driver of morbidity and

Read Article
QD clinics on ILD - lessons from the Clinic #3 QD clinics on ILD - lessons from the Clinic; brought to during the "Rheum to Breathe" ILD campaign ILD QD Clinic #3 ILD QD Clinic: Application of the ACR CHEST Guidelines to Two Cases ILD QD Clinic: Progressive RA-ILD Management https://t.co/oYZf9KT9JF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
What is IPAF? Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features - or IPAF - describes patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, but they don’t meet a diagnosis of a CTD. https://t.co/ZEexaqoeLK https://t.co/p3Yfv2IkE2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Challenges diagnosing lung disease and ILD in pediatric patients

Children with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myositis (JIIM) are at risk of developing lung disease, notably interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILD can be asymptomatic initially, progressing silently to irreversible lung damage, which underscores the importance of early detection

Read Article
QD Clinic: Stick or twist (when not to change treatment) Dr. Richard Conway, Dublin, discusses a case about when not to change treatment, as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025. https://t.co/9yQwWTnEtU https://t.co/7k0cSsaPqN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are found in 7% of Gen. population, most of whom are asymptomatic, but some will progress to ILD, IPF,and increased risk of lung cancer, etc. Finding incidental ILD appropriate screening monitoring, based on risk factors is indicated. https://t.co/kQbhxTAVTm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Lung Involvement in Pre-RA

When I see patients with RA-associated ILD, I’m often asked: “Are the lungs and joints really connected?” The answer is yes, and the connection extends further back than some may realize. While RA is defined by inflammation of the joints, extra-articular complications of the lung are well

Read Article

Detection, Monitoring & Management of Autoimmune ILD

The American Journal of Managed Care has reviewed the approach to patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD); a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in those with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and

Read Article
High-Resolution CT in CTD-Interstitial Lung Disease A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosing and characterizing interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). https://t.co/9FmEe6BgN7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Our final webinar in this month's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign brings together ILD experts to discuss best practices in diagnosis, screening, and monitoring, covering: tools, labs, and imaging; timing and frequency of screening; ILD screening in RA; and, referral strategies. https://t.co/Culzv9bSD4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease Since the first placebo-controlled randomized trial published nearly 20 years ago for the treatment of patients with SSc-ILD, evaluating cyclophosphamide vs. placebo, there have been several other randomized studies to guide the https://t.co/n8S0N2wTqu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

How Does Your Garden Grow (9.26.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from RheumNow.com. Pool therapy, Fibrosis, NSIE's and what's best for knee OA. 

Read Article

What is IPAF?

Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features - or IPAF - describes patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, but they don’t meet a diagnosis of a CTD.

Read Article
Prospective French study of 101 RA-ILD (mean 66yrs) assessed for shorter WBC telomere length (LTL); short LTL seen in 43% & assoc w/ lower FVC (82% vs 93%pred) & TLCO (49% vs 63%) & greater FVC/DLCO decline & lung progression after 12 mos (47% vs 22%; p<0.001) https://t.co/ObVeon0riy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
QD Clinic: Stick or twist (when not to change treatment Dr. Richard Conway, Dublin, discusses a case about when not to change treatment, as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025. https://t.co/kUopZ1bpVi https://t.co/mt0tKcQzKQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Assessing ILD in Rheumatology Janet Pope, MD, shares practical insights on how rheumatologists should assess ILD in their patients. Sponsored By: Boehringer Ingelheim https://t.co/Mxg9P50m7C #ILD #Rheumatology https://t.co/aAuxbJBxBn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease Since the first placebo-controlled randomized trial published nearly 20 years ago for the treatment of patients with SSc-ILD, evaluating cyclophosphamide vs. placebo, there have been several other randomized studies to guide the https://t.co/Dh7XpP6qhF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Panel of IPF assoc 8 biomarkers (eotaxin, Flt-3L, IL-8, MDC, MCP-1, MMP-2/7/9) tested in 2 RA-ILD cohorts (n 164). IPF multibiomarker scores higher in RA-ILF vs RA alone. Highest quartile had ~2 fold incr risk of prevalent & incident ILD https://t.co/vYg9iB4EtH https://t.co/5ZZx6gg7A4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

ILD and ANCA: What to do?

Several cohort studies conducted in Asia, Europe and the Americas have evaluated the clinical significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) when detected in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) as well as the types of ILD encountered in patients with microscopic

Read Article
Worsening Breathlessness in SSc ILD Dr. Aurelie Najm, Glasgow, presents a QD Clinic on worsening breathlessness in systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease, as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025. https://t.co/P3MoM7ZmIo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
What you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis What do you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis as a practicing rheumatologist? https://t.co/Ezl5G5IZeI https://t.co/zTF4lIYCAJ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease

While we know there are certain clinical features serving as predictors that patients with SSc may develop ILD, including diffuse skin disease and serologies such as anti-Scl-70 and Th/To antibodies, it is imperative that clinicians consider that any patient, particularly early in their disease

Read Article
New Multidisciplinary Classification of the Interstitial Pneumonias: ATS/ERS Guideline. https://t.co/HWteOikGXT 🫁🩻🎞⚔️🐍🧪🔬💡📚 @ERSpublications @EuroRespSoc @ALATorax @SPLF_SocPneumo @pneumosbpt @NeumoMadrid @SeparRespira @HUReinaSofia @neumoparatodos @Neumosur @NeumoNat https://t.co/GnJjuxMIEm
jpedrokessner @KessnerJp( View Tweet )
RheumNow Podcast square

Associations in Rheumatology (10.3.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and important associations in rheumatology from the past week on RheumNow.com.

doctor child

ILD in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Moving Toward Better Outcomes

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is typically recognized for its striking skin rashes, vasculopathy, and muscle inflammation. Less visible, but equally significant, is lung involvement.

group of children

Challenges diagnosing lung disease and ILD in pediatric patients

Children with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myositis (JIIM) are at risk of developing lung disease, notably interstitial lung disease (ILD).

lung image

Lung Involvement in Pre-RA

When I see patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), I’m often asked: “Are the lungs and joints really connected?” The answer is yes, and the connection extends further back than some may realize.

lung.ILD.MD

Detection, Monitoring & Management of Autoimmune ILD

The American Journal of Managed Care has reviewed the approach to patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD); a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in those with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and idiopath

RheumNow Podcast square

How Does Your Garden Grow (9.26.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from RheumNow.com. Pool therapy, Fibrosis, NSIE's and what's best for knee OA. 

magnifying glass with IPAF

What is IPAF?

Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features - or IPAF - describes patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, but they don’t meet a diagnosis of a CTD.

Classification criteria (2015 ERS/ATS):

lung.ILD.MD

ILD and ANCA: What to do?

Several cohort studies conducted in Asia, Europe and the Americas have evaluated the clinical significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) when detected in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) as well as the types of ILD encountered in patients with microsc

lung%2Cbright.jpg

Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Take-home points:

RheumNow Podcast square

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. 

lung.pulmonary.fibrosis.IPF

What you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis

What do you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis as a practicing rheumatologist?

CT scan

SARD-ILD: Significant diagnostic and treatment delays

Should we be screening all our patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) for interstitial lung disease?

yellow box among blue

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 disease, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

lung image

When Myositis Hits the Lungs: What Every Rheumatologist Should Know About ILD

When idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) affect the lungs, the consequences can be serious. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is not only common in IIM, but also one of the leading causes of death, contributing to up to 80% of mortality in this patient group (1).

RheumNow Podcast square

RheumNow Podcast – Ro, Ro, Ro52 (9.12.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Are there benefits to diet or vegan diets? What's the effect of menopause on CTD?  Ro52 makes a big entrance with all our ILD coverage this month.

checklist on clipboard

How to assess ILD in your patients?

Have a high index of suspicion in your patients with connective tissue disease (especially systemic sclerosis, inflammatory myositis), and rheumatoid arthritis.

APLAR on red background

PAH diagnosis and management in the context of CTD ILD

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious complication of connective tissue disorders (CTD). Approximately 25% of patients with PAH have an underlying CTD, making CTD-PAH the second most common cause of PAH after the idiopathic form.

ILD damage fibrosis path

Antifibrotics - A New Class of Therapies in Rheumatology?

Rheumatologists typically manage systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) and associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) with immunosuppressants. However, evidence increasingly supports also the use of antifibrotic agents in this setting.

guidelines.recommendations.jpg

ERS/EULAR guidelines for CTD-related interstitial lung disease

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) have published clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of connective tissue diseases (CTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in two simultaneous publications in th

many heads

Addressing Disparities and Unequal Burdens in ILD

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) represent a complex spectrum of conditions that share one  unifying truth: they are almost always serious, progressive, and life-altering. But for many patients,  the burden of disease does not fall evenly.

×