Joint Disease in SLE Reconsidered

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A new Frontiers in Immunology review from Ong, Wincup and colleagues, shows that lupus arthropathy is not a single uniform entity and it is biologically under-studied and clinically mismeasured, Moreover, the biology of lupus arthritis may shed light on choosing the best therapy for MSK manifestations of SLE.

‘Tis the Season for Vaccination

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As the leaves start changing color and spooky decorations populate neighborhood doorsteps, another autumnal tradition begins: vaccination counseling. Fall offers a golden opportunity to protect our patients before respiratory viruses fill our waiting rooms. In patients with rheumatologic diseases, vaccinations can be confusing and worrisome. For clinicians with limited bandwidth, these conversations can feel like added responsibilities in an already overfull schedule.

Troubles with ‘Gut Feelings’ (10.16.2026)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's news from RheumNow.com, including: placebo trumps controversial therapies, the dynamics of disease activity, fuse the big toe, and patients don’t appreciate being told “it's all in your head”!

Should You Use Low Dose Naltrexone?

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There's this low grade buzz from some rheumatologists about the potential analgesic benefits of low dose naltrexone. I haven't used it. Should you?

Lancet: A Public Health Policy Call Out for Osteoarthritis

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In honor of World Arthritis Day (Oct. 12th), The Lancet has published a public Health Policy report is to "outline a globally relevant roadmap to address the osteoarthritis identity problem, focusing on health policy responses."

Colchicine & Statins: A significant interaction?

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Aside from diarrhea, colchicine use is generally well tolerated, but its metabolism via the CYP3A4 cytochrome P450 enzyme pathway poses a potential risk of medication interaction. Statins are one of the most widely prescribed medication classes also metabolized by this pathway thus positing question of additive risk when colchicine and a statin are prescribed concurrently.

Surgery for 1st MTP Osteoarthritis

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Hallux rigidus, or osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), is common, but the treatment options and future outcomes are poorly known.

Are Concerns Over Avacopan Efficacy Overblown?

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Avacopan (Tavneos), the complement pathway inhibitor for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), appeared strongly effective in an Italian registry study -- a step, maybe, toward setting to rest questions about its efficacy, if not its safety.

Treatment Landscape for Dermatomyositis Is Evolving

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After years of inactivity, therapeutic development for dermatomyositis has begun to move forward with several new therapies and therapeutic strategies.

Don’t Hold the JAK (10.9.2026)

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On this week's podcast, Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news: Steroids are easy to start and hard to stop; hold the MTX but not the biologic or JAK, weighing in on avacopan, and age-old messages for old-age patients. 

Can DMARD Doses Be Safely Reduced for RA Patients?

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Close to 90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) well controlled on targeted therapies were able to take 50% dosage reductions without experiencing worsened disease activity in a randomized trial, South Korean researchers said.

Don't Hold the Biologic or JAK with COVID-19 Vaccination

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A randomized clinical trial in inflammatory arthritis arthritis shows that temporarily holding biologic or Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor therapy at the time of COVID-19 vaccination is not warranted.

Predicting and Preventing Psoriatic Arthritis

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Psoriatic arthritis is often underdiagnosed in those with psoriasis (PsO), leading to diagnostic delays an undertreatment.

POETYK PsA-1 - Efficacy and Safety of Deucravacitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis

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van der Heijde et al have published the results of the phase 3 POETYK PsA-1 trial demonstrating that deucravacitinib was superior to placebo in clinical responses, patient-reported outcomes, and structural damage inhibition in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

EBR Journal Club: Brepocitinib in Dermatomyositis (VALOR)

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The EBR Journal Club Companion applies my adapted version of the JAMA approach to critical appraisal. Each review covers four domains: Does this apply to my patients? What is the risk of bias? How great are the benefits and harms? And what didn’t they show me? Feel free to use this in your own journal clubs! This edition: VALOR (brepocitinib in dermatomyositis).