What do you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis as a practicing rheumatologist? Here are takeaways from these guidelines and my practice.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
RA-associated interstitial lung disease or bronchiectasis is assoc w/ increased risk of total and cause-specific mortality. retrospective cohort study using the Mass General Brigham Biobank 221 RA-LD cases (151 RA-ILD, 70 RA-BR). RA-LD higher mortality (34 vs 13/1000PY; HR
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
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, https://t.co/qRoTr3r84x
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
STOP-RA: Hydroxychloroquine Fails in ACPA+ Arthralgia
Deane et al has published the results of the STOP-RA trial, demonstrating that 12 months of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) did not prevent the development of clinical RA at 36 months.
https://t.co/HLLhwgcVrS https://t.co/MKpeXhVdoe
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
Retrospective study of 201 IPAF (Interstitial pneumonia w/ autoimmune feat.) pts w/ F/U 5.6 yrs. ANA+ 80%, RF+ 25%, CCP+ 14%, 88% Rx w/ IS or antifibrotics. 24% died, 7.5% transplant. Comorbidies were common; mean CCI 3.2; IPAF mortality worsened by
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
Commercial claims analysis of 8855 adults w/ axSpA and/or PsA, 1771 who had joint replacements. JAK inhibitor use did not significantly reduce joint replacement (OR 0.67; 0.41–1.08), BUT TNFi, Non-TNFi biologics & DMARD users had signif fewer surgeries (OR ~0.65) vs NSAID users https://t.co/vnBnFcPxGw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
🆕 ILD (Part II): advanced insights
🫁 Multidisciplinary management
💊 Treatment strategies
📊 Prognosis & monitoring
🧑⚕️ What rheums should know next
⬇️ Download & learn more: https://t.co/dmhULfqiMj
Created by
@MithuRheum | For our Rheum to Breathe: ILD Campaign https://t.co/ivvDjxkCvt
A new study led by investigators at Mass General Brigham finds that adding novel weight loss GLP-1 drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide to usual care represents a cost-effective treatment strategy for people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity, with tirzepatide providing greater health benefits at lower cost compared to semaglutide.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
SUA levels & adverse health outcomes? Australian ASPREE trial of 11,878 older participants had baseline SUA measurements. SUA levels had NO ASSOC. w/ all-cause mortality, disability-free survival, CV Dz, MACE, cancer mortality, cognitive decline, or dementia. In females, low SUA https://t.co/VY6NJsetW9
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
Non-Pharmacologic ILD Care
Jon T. Giles, MD, MPH, discusses non-Pharmacologic approaches to ILD treatment and patient care. Sponsored By: Boehringer Ingelheim
https://t.co/Mxg9P50m7C
#ILD #Rheumatology https://t.co/5wD1K7J1Gq
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
Study of 43 PsA pts starting bDMARD shows Calprotectin was elevated in PsA, decreased w/ biologics, but had no signif correlation w/ US synovitis. Baseline calprotectin, S100A12, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23, CXCL10 were high. Calprotectin, S100A12, IL-6 decreased w/ Rx (p < 0.05).
Should we be screening all our patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) for interstitial lung disease? I have been asking myself that question after the recent publication of American Thoracic Society Interstitial Lung Disease screening guidelines. The ATS guidelines, which were published in May, recommend universal CT chest screening for all asymptomatic patients with RA, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
QD Clinic: Beyond the Numbers in Newly Diagnosed ILD
Dr. Eric Dein, Summit, NJ, presents a case of a new patient with interstitial lung disease, as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025.
https://t.co/HLnX5WbbTw https://t.co/SZeI4bqSAm
Dr. John Cush RheumNow
1 year ago
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. All patients with CTD may develop ILD but it is more common (% of patients with https://t.co/UXdvPJCqDi

