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.
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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 )
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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). The study analyzed 23 studies published between 2015-2024,
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
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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.
September to Remember (9.5.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow. This week - unemployment, diagnosing Sjogren's and a lot of ILD.
Abatacept and Methotrexate may Lower Risk of Interstitial Lung Disease in RA
A post hoc, pooled analysis of of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials shows those received abatacept had a lower rate of Interstitial lung disease (ILD).
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Multi-omics, biomarkers, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 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.
Combined Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Interstitial Lung Disease
Rheumatoid arthritis interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) represents a major therapeutic evidence void in our current treatment paradigm. RA-ILD is common, with clinically significant disease seen in 8% of patients.
Video
Podcasts
ILD Diagnosis, Screening and Monitoring
QD clinics on ILD - lessons from the Clinic #4
Rheum + Pulm Collaborations in ILD