Eating Crow (10.10.2025) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, FDA approvals, and journal articles. In this episode: HMGCR Abs, FDA approvals and Cush eats crow.

1. Multimorbidity in SLE: metanalysis of 3 studies (1175 pts) saw Multimorbidity (by higher Charlson comorbidity index/CCI), is a strong independent predictor of mortality in SLE (OR 3.92). In SLE, the most freq comorbidities were DM, CVD, COPD, renal/lung/CNS Dz https://t.co/auIb3vkLkN
2. Prospective study of 62 lupus nephritis pts rx w/ induction therapy - MMF vs IV CYC x 6 mos followed by MMF for next 6 mos. At 1 year complete renal remission (CRR) seen in 77% MMF vs 29% CYC. https://t.co/wG2Qrn1PSU
3. FDA has approved nerandomilast (PDE4b inhibitor) for treatment of adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Approval is based on 2 RCTs, FIBRONEER-IPF & FIBRONEER-ILD, that show slowing of lung function decline IP & progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) pts. https://t.co/uza0JTZDMP
4. FDA Approves Deuruxolitinib for use in adult patients with moderate to severe Alopecia Areata https://t.co/D6KXtDjfHL https://t.co/2WSIBWNexX
5. Guselkumab FDA Approved for Pediatric Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis FDA announced yesterday that guselkumab (Tremfya) is approved for use in pediatric patients moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) or active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in children six years and older https://t.co/GHjCgqHaJC
6. Sonelokimab (SLK) is a nanobody that inhibits IL-17 A&F. Phase 2 ARGO trial 207 active PsA pts Rx w/ SLK 120-mg or 60-mg q4wks or PBO or adalimumab. ACR50 at wk 12 was 60-mg WI=46%; 120-mg WI=46%; PBO 20%. PASI90: 60mg 77% vs 120mg 59% vs PBO 15% https://t.co/ra0NqvUEru
7. Taiwan study of HBV or HCV reactivation w/ bDMARD use in PsO & PsA - among 5527 treatment episodes (3197 ts/bDMARDs) found a 10% risk of reactivation of HBVr (10.6%) & HCV (9.9%), highest w/ TNFi. Reactivation assoc w/ TNFi, HBsAg+, HBeAg+, immunosuppressant use without antiviral prophylaxis https://buff.ly/0Gtb5Ol
8. HMGCR Abs is assoc w/ necrotizing myopathy. Review of 78 pts w/ HMGCR IMNM. 31 had overlap w/ higher MMT-score, less muscle weakness, more ILD, arthralgia, wt loss & rash. 12 had musc. dystrophy like dz w/ earlier onset, longer duration, less myalgia & extramuscular Sxs https://t.co/RpzZI0zI7E
9. Tramadol not effective at chronic pain The strong opioid painkiller, tramadol, is not that effective at easing chronic pain for which it’s widely prescribed, finds a pooled data analysis of the available research, published online in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine. https://t.co/ORuA5Ip4pd
10. German survey of 124 AOSD pts - Dz duration 7 yrs (Dx delay 2 yrs), 2/3 on biologics, 84% responding, 81% inactive by CRP. MDs report 35% of pts Sx-free. More Patients report Persistent Sxs LBP (39.5%), fatigue/weakness (39%), & joint inflammation (27%). https://t.co/2FGUPrhB8H
11. Retrospective study of 42 adult Still' pts Rx after 2010 w/ IL‐1 inhib if given < 6 mos (early) or > 6mos of Sxs. Early IL-1i had more inactive dz (CID)(67% vs 38%; P = 0.17) & steroid d/c w/in 6 mos. 10 major flares observed (62% after IL‐1i suspension or spacing) https://t.co/uD1meQuYvj
12. Review of GLP-1 agonist use in rheumatology - with benefits beyond DM, obesity, improved survival, reduced major cardiovascular and renal events. Anti-inflammatory & chondroprotective effx shown benefit in knee OA & pain. GLP-1RAs do not prevent gout attacks. More research https://t.co/1HDgfc7YwT
13. Prediction of D2T-RA. Model was trained on BRASS pts (700; 16% w/ D2T-RA) & validated on CERTAIN pts (2,070; 28% D2TRA). PRO's were strongest predictors. Moderate predictive accuracy (C-index of 0.64 & 0.62) w/ functional status, pain, fatigue, and global Dz activity https://t.co/uv3uGYIRFb
14. Optimizing DMARD Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis https://rheumnow.com/news/optimizing-dmard-therapy-rheumatoid-arthritis
15. Not all difficult-to-treat RA will have rapid radiographic progression   
16. Whole Body MRI for Arthritis  
17. RheumNow.Live  Feb 7& 8, 2026 Dallas TX