Hydroxychloroquine for Everyone
Nearly 25 years ago, while lecturing on best therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I loudly stated that hydroxychloroquine was “useless” and, deservedly, I was “boo-ed” off stage.
Vitamin D Headlines (5.9.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and lupus highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com. Triple positivity, the gut and CRPS, and hope for better outcomes with Vitamin D therapy.
D-Lay Trial: High-Dose Vitamin D Retards Multiple Sclerosis
A randomized clinical trial with oral high-dose cholecalciferol ( vitamin D3) was shown to prevent or delay the onset of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), typical for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Keys to Mastery (5.2.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, articles and drug approvals from the past week on RheumNow.com. This podcast marks the beginning of our Lupus Campaign called "Lupus Unlocked: Keys to Mastery". This month's campaign on Lupus is sponsored by Aurinia.
EULAR Guidelines on Reproductive Health
MedPage Today
- Many rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus often strike women during their reproductive years, with drugs being the primary therapies.
- Experts assembled by EULAR determined that most of the common medi
Rheumatology: Believe It or Not (4/25/2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Should we believe the reviews and metanalyses?
EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com
Autoimmune Disease Impact Report
Integrated Benefit Institute, a nonprofit independent research organization, has published its 2025 Autoimmune Disease Impact Report, which examines the health and productivity impacts of five prevalent and costly autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammat
ERA, APPs, & Alpha GAL (3.21.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. Listen in for 2 new case questions - Ask Cush Anything.
2024 Rheumatology Year in Review
2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians. While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list
Hydroxychloro-King (3.7.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory actions from the past week on RheumNow.com
SOCS1 Insufficiency - a Rare Inborn Error of Immunity
Lancet Rheumatology has published a population study of the rare suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 (SOCS1) insufficiency - an inborn error of immunity affecting the negative regulation of cytokine and growth factor signalling.
Social
QD Clinic: ILD with Positive SSA and Rash
Dr. Elena Joerns, Rochester, Minnesota discusses a case of ILD with positive SSA and rash, as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025.
https://t.co/Yuz8CuIN5H https://t.co/3M9emsIXVf
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 months 2 weeks ago
Should we be "scoring" comorbidity to predict outcomes? SLE metanalysis looked at Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI). 3 RCTs, 1175 SLE pts show higher CCI scores predicts increased all-cause mortality (OR 3.92(95% CI: 2.74–5.60) https://t.co/LXfsGo9iJq https://t.co/eK31lnFrJk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 months 2 weeks ago
Comparative Frequency of Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) in Australia:
- SLE 57.9 per 100K
- Lupus nephritis 11.2 per 100K
- SSc 25.6 per 100K
- ANCA-associated vasculitis 10.8 per million PYs https://t.co/cx9LvswQ2E https://t.co/ltcXCw23bI
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 months 2 weeks ago
This is a pivotal trial. 187 pt w/ incomplete lupus (ANA+ plus 1-2 criteria, but not qualifying as SLE) shows that HCQ does not prevent progression to SLE! Congrats to these researchers lead by Nancy Olsen et al. https://t.co/NnrA8ohiGX
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 months 3 weeks ago
GCs have potent anti-inflammatory effects but it’s long term complications can be catastrophic.
In SLE pts, it shows a 3-fold increased risk of organ damage for each addtl 1mg of Pred/day.
📌Aim for short duration of use with lowest effective dose
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/UugrcX073Z
Links:
sheila @RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet )
2 months 3 weeks ago
3 yr study of FDA Adverse Event Reporting on anifrolumab shows following AEs- URIs, herpes zoster, infusion reactions, and potential new risks like dyspnea and pyrexia, not in the label. https://t.co/vP2YWGT2vR https://t.co/BruGBtXEBu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
3 months ago
A new player in AIRD
ThA age associated T helper cells
Displaying both Cytotoxic & APC functions
Correlation with disease activity in RA and SLE
More research is needed to better characterize function but could be a promising therapeutic target
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/4SnY65tXpJ
Aurelie Najm @AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet )
3 months ago
EULAR & European Respiratory Society have published clinical practice guidelines for ILD assoc w/ connective tissue diseases (SSc, RA, SjD, IIM, SLE, MCTD). 2 publications included Dz specific ILD management algorithms; use of Hi Res CT over Lung Bx; ILD risk factors
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
3 months 1 week ago
6 yr study of Dutch #SLE pts (n 221) - unemployment was high (54%) & increased over time. Employ
ed assoc w/ supervisor support, regular working hrs, skill discretion, decision authority. Unemployment most from SLE Sxs (63%) & assoc w/ older, less education, Dz Dur, organ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
3 months 1 week ago
New #therapy in #SLE
#lupus https://t.co/TPeKxfw9hq
Dr hanady manasfi @hanadymanasfi ( View Tweet )
3 months 2 weeks ago
