Years of IL-17 vs. IL-23 debate in PsA finally got tested head-to-head: bimekizumab outperformed risankizumab on joint outcomes in the BE BOLD trial, while a GLP-1 combination study suggests weight and metabolic status are active drivers of PsA — not just comorbidities. This recap also digs into early signals that biologic choice may influence whether psoriasis progresses to PsA, and why some well-controlled patients are still in pain.
This update includes new pandemic era evidence, recombinant zoster vaccine data, and new perspectives on vaccination in patients taking novel immunosuppressants. Five overarching principles and 10 vaccine recommendations follow.
It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
2 months ago
Understanding Comorbidities in RMD
People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are at risk of a number of comorbidities, from cardiovascular diseases to cognitive impairment and fractures. EIULAR 2026 showcased new data and ideas around various comorbidities and https://t.co/twr0EiMp9f
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey
2 months ago
#OP0159 #EULAR2026
Multimodal study in D2T RA identified altered brain connectivity patterns linked to pain, psychological features & peripheral transcriptomics. Supports neuroimmune component in D2T RA & need for personalised approaches beyond inflammation control. @RheumNow https://t.co/qMQbkiMCwX
Jiha Lee JihaRheum
2 months ago
Does #RA accelerate age-related functional decline in older adults? STAR study (n=421, age 55-85): RA with worse HAQ, grip strength, but aging's effect on function similar in RA vs controls. Geriatric syndromes like sarcopenia may matter more than RA @RheumNow #EULAR2026 POS0360
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade
2 months ago
Do GLP-1 agonists achieve meaningful weight loss in patients with RMDs?
RISE registry
Retrospective
N=60,206
Tirzepatide: lost 8%
Semaglutide: list 6%
At 12 months
PsA had the highest usage
OP0112 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/P3CTgiwqCr
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo
2 months ago
Machine learning identifies a “vulnerable” phenotype in older RA patients n=275
-51% “vulnerable”
-Worse grip strength, gait speed & SARC-F
-Higher disability (HAQ 1.56 vs 0.64)
-More fatigue, poorer QoL
-Higher DAS28 despite greater biologic exposure
Suggests we should assess https://t.co/bv1FbTxGKR
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo
2 months ago
Failure to achieve early remission RA asso w/ non-inflammatory pain
NORD-STAR 526 early RA pts)
no remission at 24 wks increased risk of 48wk
• unacceptable pain (OR ~6)
• refractory pain (OR ~6)
• fibromyalgic RA (OR ~16)
Signal strongest w/ very early remission wk8 https://t.co/H8iyhIrsJw
Jiha Lee JihaRheum
2 months ago
What does remission really mean to patients with #PsA? The RemiPPsA international qualitative study asked 123 patients across 11 countries. Pain-free + ability to resume daily life topped the list, not just composite scores. #EULAR2026 @RheumNow, POS0294 https://t.co/mEGpkewuTX
Day 3 was an interesting mix of posters, oral presentations, and review sessions on many practical subjects like osteoarthritis, large vessel vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, and pregnancy. Here are a few of my recommended abstracts from Friday at EULAR 2026.
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo
2 months ago
What does remission look like for people living with PsA?
Much more than the absence of swollen joints
Absence of pain
Skin management
Ability to resume daily activities
Sustained over time
A definition not always reflected in our disease activity scores
#POS0294 #EULAR2026 https://t.co/VCnMGAOVYm
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints
2 months ago
PET-derived parameters in #PsA correlated with DAPSA, CRP and patient pain. Angiogenesis imaging may be a complementary biomarker of overall disease burden Abstr#OP068 #EULAR2026 #Imaging
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof
2 months ago
#EULAR2026 OP0220 How can we improve physical function of #SLE patients? Cross-sectional study of 2 US cohorts: poor physical function was associated with Fatigue, depression, learned helplessness and perceived stress. We should focus on improving fatigue & wellbeing @RheumNow https://t.co/vAFqYyuzgN
Nelly ZIADE 🍀 Nellziade
2 months ago
🔮 Can polygenic risk scores predict PsA timing in psoriasis?
Another GWAS study (n=703) says YES!
70-SNP model achieves AUC 0.843 for predicting PsA onset <10 vs >10 years
#POS0088 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/wI4Jy8Yu2A
