Associations in Rheumatology (10.3.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Oct 03, 2025 7:07 am

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and important associations in rheumatology from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Post hoc analysis of Gout (CARES) trial (rx w/ ULT) showed remission @ 1yr increased from 37% to 63% at yr 6. In 6 yrs, 59% achieved remission 1+ times. Remission was signif assoc w/ age, race, Hi Dz severity, comorbidities, and febuxostat treatment https://buff.ly/c2IzxQr
There is no consensus on flare definition in PSA. Review of 12 #PsA studies shows flare prevalence ranged 7% to 10%, w/ incidence was 22–23%. Over 12 mos, current patient-reported flare = 10%, physician-reported flare = 7% https://buff.ly/vsPHxmI
Axial involvement in PsA (axPsA)? study of 581 PsA pts (mean 45 yrs) found 31% w/ SpA-SI joint (SIJ) abnormalities on MRI (MRI-axPsA). MRI-axPsA pts had BM edema(69%), erosions (68%), fat lesions (58%). ~45% w/ Xrays, 29% met Xray mNY criteria for AS (38% +MRI). +MRI assoc w/ Male, B27+, ^^CRP, Hx iLBP in axPsA pts. https://buff.ly/RbfpF https://t.co/MRbs8G3MWq
Study of 246 axSpA (nraxSpA 82, r-axSpA 164) w/ Sx duration 26 yrs. axSpA had more comorbid Dz (^CCI) esp for uveitis (28 vs 1%), IBD (10 v 1%), PsO (10 v 3%)], CVD (7 v 3%), FM (12 v 3%). BUT NO DIFF between r-axSp & nraxSpA for comorbidities https://t.co/0ERLt083yq
Impact cumulative MTX on liver fibrosis? 1314 #PsA pts (age 44), 28% on MTX. Total of 44 (3%) had baseline liver fibrosis & 12% developed it over med/ 5.6 yrs. Cumulative MTX Did NOT assoc w/ liver fibrosis (OR 0.99), but high BMI & DM did (Metabolic factors) https://buff.ly/nJoj90X
2019 National Health Survey of 87,678, 21% had chronic back pain (cLBP). cLBP had more Multimorbidity 62.1%, worse activity limitation. depression, and cardiovascular disease https://t.co/LFdWr0s6tg
Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are found in 7% of Gen. population, most of whom are asymptomatic, but some will progress to ILD, IPF,and increased risk of lung cancer, etc. Finding incidental ILD appropriate screening monitoring, based on risk factors is indicated. https://t.co/kQbhxTAVTm
Retrospective study of 137 pts w/ Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) w/ myositis Abs testing. 11% MSA+. & more like to have autoimmune Dz, +ANA, +RF. MSA negativity predicted by these 4: neg RF, ANA <1:320, no hypergammaglobulinemia, no Raynaud's - specificity 100%, sensitivity 32% https://t.co/JAca1fpwZT
RA at risk for pneumonia & hospitalisation. Pop/ study (41187 RA vs 205935 matched controls). w/ 4yrs F/U, RA had signif. more pneumonia (adj HR 1.73) & hospitaliz (aHR 2.26); higher w/ seropositives (aHR 1.86 & 2.52) & bDMARDs (1.73), but not tsDMARDs (0.93) https://t.co/XJE1FqVqCn
Chronic urticaria (CU) may be a presenting feature of an autoinflammatory syndrome (monogenic or multifactorial) - disorders to consider: cryopyrin-associated periodic (CAPS), Schnitzler, Still's disease, & neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis https://t.co/GKYqFzX6A
Lung Involvement in Pre-RA
Activity Trackers Can Predict RA Flares
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