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Obesity Imperative
High BMI decreases the odds for MDA in PsA, esp w/ TNFi Rx (but not Inflx, IL-17i, IL-12/23i, IL-23i, JAKi). Longitudinal PsA cohort 1291 pts (mean BMI 29); Higher BMI independently assoc w/ signif. lower odds for MDA (OR 0.97), also female, age, smoking, FM & Xray damage. https://t.co/zAJ8Pmk1HY
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Epic Cosmos study of GLP-1RA Rxs in 3.5 million children (8–11 yrs) - very few 0.6% recv a GLP-1RA (20,282 kids) - Rx went from 0.03% (2019) to 9.3% (2026-310-fold incr). More likely in older, girls, obese kids. Most GLP-1 kids had severe obesity (93.7 percent) https://t.co/JW6SXxJjA0
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Swedish study of 1097 #RA pts looked at modifiable healthy lifestyle habits (HLHs: EtOH use, smoking, physical activity). At Baseline, 56% had three HLHs , unchanged (58%) at Yr 3. Nonsmoking incr 77-83%, healthy alcohol from 85%-97%. but healthy PA decr 84-71%. Lifestyle modif. https://t.co/cDyQwiN6Ae
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ACP Clinical Guideline on Treatments of Overweight or Obese Adults In July 2026, ACP published its first living clinical guideline addressing pharmacologic management of overweight and obesity in nonpregnant adults in outpatient settings. As this therapeutic area is rapidly https://t.co/5oQIY7J2Aw
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Obesity Journal Club https://t.co/CxAWoGBqpx

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Why does obesity worsen Rheumatic disease?

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Osteoarthritis, Obesity and GLP-1s

We all know that osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, and that obesity is its most modifiable risk factor. What I really want to focus on is the role that GLP-! receptor agonists might be playing in our management of osteoarthritis. So why does this matter?

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12 mos Danish study of 157 822 first-time semaglutide for obesity management (SOM) intiators. 77 483 discontinued treatment w/in 12 mos. (13% at 3 mo, 27% 6 mos, 39% @ 9 mos. D/C more likely in younger, men, low-income, on GI or psych meds, & pts with comorbididities. Few https://t.co/oJLnrxXFz0
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Join us for the first of four webinars this month! Our Journal Club explores the TOGETHER PsA and STEP 9 trials, and what emerging evidence reveals about obesity, weight loss and rheumatic disease. Featuring Drs. Philip Mease, Tom Appleton and Jack Cush. https://t.co/KkVJPyhKF1
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QD Clinic: RA, IBD and Frank's sign Daric Mueller, PA-C, St. Clair Shores, MI, presents a case called, "Rheumatoid Arthritis, IBD and Frank's Sign", as part of RheumNow's "The Obesity Imperative" campaign presented in September 2026. https://t.co/XMD0b35fiu https://t.co/9WUdZKAR0w
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QD Clinic: The Weight Behind Delay in Diagnosis Dr. Antoni Chan, London, discusses a case of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis whose weight delayed the diagnosis and treatment of AS. This QD Clinic is presented as part of RheumNow's "The Obesity Imperative" campaign, https://t.co/fDozAaX64j
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Treating Obesity is Disease-Modifying (9.4.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.  New drugs approved, new drugs halted and some drugs out of control. Ready to test your knowlege? Take this week's quiz!

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NY Times reports Gallop poll: 15% Americans have used a wt-loss drug (11% currently taking) - up from 3% in 2024. These have been approved for use in NIDDM, weight loss, liver Dz, CV risk reduct. & sleep apnea. Also obesity in USA is fell to 36.4%, after peak of 39.9% in 2022. https://t.co/ghxUEcuoGr
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ACP Clinical Guideline on Treatments of Overweight or Obese Adults

The American College of Physicians (ACP) in July 2026 published its first living clinical guideline addressing pharmacologic management of overweight and obesity in nonpregnant adults in outpatient settings. The guidelines importance is driven by striking epidemiology: 59% of the global

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Korean retrospective study compared NIDDM pts Rx w/ SGLT2 inhibitor (n 552,065) vs sulfonylurea (1,480,092) showed SGLT2 inhibitors were assoc w/ a signif 11% lower risk of incident autoimmune rheumatic disease (HR 0.89). Diff of −6.50 per 100K PYs over median ~9 mos F/U. https://t.co/uTiCjejkjL
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BMI Affects JAK Inhibitor Responses in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A meta-analysis of Janus kinase (JAKi) inhibitors clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has shown higher BMI was associated with poorer responses and a reduced treatment benefit with JAK inhibitors in RA patients.

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Sleep and Obesity: A Bidirectional Relationship In July 2026, JAMA published a concise review of the bidirectional relationship between sleep health and obesity. Obesity affects roughly 40% of US adults, and sleep problems affect nearly one-third. This review outlines the https://t.co/cA6P4aOHR0
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Rheum Survey> What effect does obesity have on #Lupus pts?

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Sleep and Obesity: A Bidirectional Relationship

In July 2026, JAMA concisely reviewed the bidirectional relationship between sleep health and obesity. Obesity affects roughly 40% of US adults and sleep problems affect nearly one-third. This review outlines the biological mechanisms and clinical interventions relevant to weight management.

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