Rheumatology Pay Up (9.25.2026) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.

1. 17 Sept EMA CHMP recommended marketing authorisation for secukinumab (Cosentyx) in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. BUT- not yet EMA approved in the EU. https://t.co/ZGUSbw06vX
2. New report shows Median total cash compensation increased across all seven specialty groups in 2026; adult medical rose 7.2% - Rheumatology led one-year pay growth at 10.4% https://t.co/iuonfJRsf6
3. 2024 death rates from unintentional falls among adults≥65 yrs were 74.8/100K for men (66.6 women) Rates were higher for men > women. Fall death rates incr w/ age: highest ≥85 years (~350/100K).  https://buff.ly/OTJQQ2f
4. CLOAK study: 3 mos DBRPCT of Colchicine vs PBO (no NSAID) in 120 symptomatic KOA (KL gr 2/3) shows no benefit in VAS pain index knee after 3 mos. (but COL pts had signif change in some biomarkers hsCRP, β-NGF (p < 0.05); PGE2, IL-1ra, IL-8, and VEGF (p < 0.16). https://t.co/MPgLpr7LPP
5. Single center, DBRPCT of tofacitinib 11 mg/d vs PBO in 100 knee OA pts (KL Gr 1-2); At wk 12 there was NO significant differences betw groups in VAS Pain, or other outcomes-WOMAC, Oxford Knee Score, EQ-5D-5L, analgesic use https://t.co/VDtgY7hTm4
6. Phenotypic cluster analysis of 134 CPPD pts from COLCHICORT & CHRONIC-CPPD European cohorts ID 4 Grps: 1) C1 monoarticular recurrent flares, older, W, ^CRP; 2) C2 monoarticular w persistent arthritis; 3) C3 polyarthritis lower CRP; 4) C4 polyarticular (spine/shoulder( & recurrent flares) https://t.co/ghMCmDLCki
7. FORWARD is a Phase 4, OL trial in 51 refractory uncontrolled gout pts Rx w/ MTX plus higher doses pegloticase (16 or 30mg) IV q4wk. At 24-wk Responses similar 68% or 73%. ~31% of responders later had SUA >6. Confusing anti-Drug Ab results in this trial?? https://t.co/udjE7sXDm5
8. Southern Israel study (2009-24) shows fibromyalgia prevalence Incr from 1.04% to 3.88%, esp 30-59 yrs; more males, w/ more Psych comorbidities; fewer hospitalizations & specialist visits but increased imaging. More use of pregabalin, duloxetine, & gabapentin. https://t.co/kgmvdZF9HQ
9. Earlier Dx of axSpA is assoc w/ lower long-term spinal structural damage. Swiss study compared xray outcomes betw 138 early (<2yrs) & 238 established axSpA pts w/ 11.5 yrs F/U.  Differences became evident 10-15 yrs after Dx. https://buff.ly/gbyn5GY
10. Systematic review of 290 psoriasis pregnancies 211 live births (73%) finds biologic exposure (UST 241, 42 TNFi) during PREG assoc w/ favorable maternal/fetal outcomes. Only 24 cont either CZP or ADA throughout PREG. Rates of miscarriage, LBW, congenital anomalies, comparable w/ https://t.co/H5GLrvxwPv
11. Indian Single center retrospective study of 28 children ≤18 yrs tested w/ 18F-FDG-PET/MR for pyrexia (PUO). 25% Dx w/ pre-stenotic TAKayasu (mean 13.9 yrs), & 20/21 alternative Dxs. All had Sxs & high ESR/CRP; all Rx w/ GC & MMF, 3 w/ biologics https://t.co/6trs1WssjW
12. Systematic review 14 studies assessed Lung ultrasound (LUS) (vs HRCT) to detect RA-ILD (using threshold of ≥ 5 B-lines) found sensitivity was 86.8% (95% CI 80.1–91.4), specificity 75.4% (95% CI 62.3–85.1), and AUC 0.890 https://t.co/GlNpsPBwtS
13. Steroid Delusions in Giant Cell Arteritis
14. Observational study of 63,215 neuropsychiatric (NP) pts showed semaglutide signif lowered NP events over 2yrs (vs metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhib);unrelaed to wt loss. Less substance, mood anxiety, CNS atrophies, neuromuscular, eating/sleep & personality/impulse-control https://t.co/tbuvLRK3QE
15. Study of 119 Rheum pts on GLP-1 Rx (65% T2DM, 35% obesity; mean BMI 35). @ 12 mos wt loss −7.7 kg & 56% improved ≥1 BMI category. Signif decr in A1c, FBS, lipids, LDL, TG, ESR & CRP. GLP-1RAs useful cardiometabolic benefits https://t.co/fdNtvGu8Vb~
16. Estimated > 7million Americans (~1/3 US GLP1 Rxs) get GLP-1 drugs from online compounding source- but these are not FDA approved. They maybe cheaper, but dosing/quality is suspect. FDA needs to close the 503B loophole to outlaw these copycat Rxs https://buff.ly/xezDWaJ
17. Endocrine Society - State of Obesity Science and Management
18. RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/LHFv1P6XZe