APPs in the News (12.5.2025) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, including info on scleroderma, dermatomyositis and malignancy, rheumatologist and APP salary concerns. 

1. WHO recommendations on GLP-1 agonists: 1) conditional recommendation - GLP-1 drugs can be used for for long-term obesity treatment by adults, except pregnant women; 2) GLP-1a use should be paired with a healthy diet and physical activity. Access to these drugs is a problem. https://t.co/jMa7rbJPby
2. Retrospective cohort study of 546 DM or clinically amyopathic DM pts. 5 factors were signif assoc w/ cancers (1 point ea): 1) TIFF-1-γ Ab (OR 3.8), poikiloderma (OR 3.1), DM subtype (2.8), anemia (2.4), but ILD was protective (OR 0.39). Markedly elevated DM cancer risk seen w/ higher scores 4-5 https://t.co/r564RbZys2
3. Hematologic Malignancies Increased in Systemic Sclerosis Swedish national study found that among a cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients a two-fold increase risk of hematological malignancies was seen. https://t.co/BypsCRUthe
4. TriNetX retrospective cohort study of 1402 propensity matched Systemic Sclerosis pts on vs off SGLT2 inhib (2013-2025) & found SGLT2i significantly lowered all-cause mortality (HR 0.54), stroke (HR 0.64), & hospitalizations (HR 0.76), moreso in SSc without Hx of CHF (HR 0.62) https://t.co/t6GVrN6zoQ
5. U Colorado compared 10K Traditional Rheum consults (TC) to 670 eConsults. 75% eConsults completed without F2F eval & 73% w/in 3 days. eConsults referred to F2F had better 180d completion rates (36% vs 19% TC, p< 0.001). Dx & Rx rates were similar. Most eConsults came from PCPs. https://t.co/fE6yLMcm25
6. Coccyx and Sacrococcygeal Joint Disorders Pain from coccygeal or sacrococcygeal disorders is rare, often presenting as a diagnostic challenge. Coccygeal pain is often mistaken for lumbosacral, pelvic, or gastrointestinal disorders. This review presents the epidemiology, https://t.co/u4w3b915my
7. Taiwan Health Insurance study of 5749 #RA pts Rx w/ b/tsDMARD, followed >2.5 yrs - 268 (4.7%) had serious infx (1.3 SIE/100PYs); 51% pneumonia, 25% UTI, 10% TB). 60% had b/tsDMARDs dose reduction- not assoc w/ increase SIE (3.4% v 4.2%), but D/C increased SIE (35% v 26%) https://t.co/6J8rB3IyFR
8. Korean claims study of 60 315 adult #RA pts (matched 1:5 controls), found risk for nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease was 3 fold higher in RA (0.23% vs 0.06%; 0.54 vs 0.14/1000PYs). Mostly in seropositive RA (OR 3.77), also males, obese, EtOH use. https://t.co/hJgoD8mnhv
9. PROSPERO metanalysis of 22 studies & 2208 JIA associated uveitis (JIAU) showed severe visual impairment in 16.6% at ~18 yrs. Most frequent: Cataract (44.3%), followed by glaucoma, synechiae, band keratopathy and hypotony. Biologics were protective https://t.co/6OoupX64NE
10. 10 yr European retrospective study of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis found 3345 deaths due HLH from 29 countries. Crude mortality rate = 5.3 per 10 million PYs (range: 1.1-11.3). From 2011 to 2021, increasing from 3.9 to 6.6/10millPYs, varying by country, sex, age. https://t.co/58gCQ72saF
11. Low Dose Naltrexone for Fibromyalgia Pain - Use it or Lose it?
12. Fast Facts About Rheumatologist Compensation 2025: - Rheum among lowest paid (~$284k) - 2024 salaries rose 2% - 53% say theyre underpaid - 41% supplement their income - 6/10 recv incentive bonuses https://t.co/TrPRJ96hY0
13. A&R 2024-  USA adult rheum workforce study showed in 2019, there were 5,667 rheumatologists & 379 APPs. Betw 2009 - 2020, rheumatologist #s increased 23%, while #APP #s increased 141%. There was a signif increase in female rheumatologists & APPs over time https://t.co/Y5ZSwPLsNe
14. Survey of 500 Rheum Patients, 37% reported having APPs (NP or PA) as primary rheum providers. APP patients had greater ease scheduling& more prefer to see APPs over rheumatologists (P < 0.01) & recommend APPs . No difference between MD vs APP experience https://t.co/VShREnhsMG
15. Long-Term APP Retention: Building Success for Practices and Providers Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are vital in rheumatology due to rising patient numbers and the need for prompt care. Their integration enhances practice efficiency, improves patient access, and balances https://t.co/bZBkbWyWfI
16. Changing Loan Limits for Advance Practice Providers.
17. RheumNow Live 2026 is coming February 7th and 8th to Dallas, Texas - and registration is now open! This year’s program covers vasculitis, autoimmune disease, PsA, RA outcomes, spondyloarthritis, and much more. Reserve your spot today at https://t.co/o78Pc8LPsQ
18. Coming on Tuesday Nite Rheumatology 12.09.2025 – APP Cases and Guidelines