Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis

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A secondary analysis of the VALOR trial has shown that the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor brepocitinib was effective at cutaneous disease activity outcomes, delivering rapid, clinically meaningful, and remission-level control of cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM).

JAMA Review: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

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Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic autonomic disorder affecting an estimated 0.1%–1% of the US population, with peak incidence at ages 13–29 and a striking 90% female predominance.

Age-specific Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Epidemiologic estimates on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis are limited.

Guidelines for Adult-Onset IgA Vasculitis

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A EUVAS-sponsored expert panel of 37 specialists across rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology and pathology has published evidence-based guidelines for adult-onset IgA vasculitis (IgAV), which behaves very differently in adults compared to usually self-limited childhood form.

Registry Data Shows Liver Risk With Avacopan

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A new study may add fuel to the fire already burning around avacopan (Tavneos), approved in 2021 to treat anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), which the FDA wants drugmaker Amgen to pull from the U.S. market.

Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity

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This review article addresses the recognition, prevention and management of glucocorticoid toxicity in rheumatic patients.

Rheum Scholarship (8.21.2026)

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Dr. Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com; talking about lumbar belts, scholarships and misdiagnosis.

A Tribute to Thomas A. Medsger Jr., MD (1936–2026)

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The rheumatology and scleroderma communities mourn the loss of Dr. Thomas A. Medsger Jr., who died August 15, 2026, in Pittsburgh, at age 89.

Misdiagnosis of Still's Disease

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High fever, strange rashes, scary labs often lead to a consideration of Still's disease (AOSD or systemic JIA). Yet the dramatic onset of a systemic disorder may overlap with another, and possibly as rare, systemic disorder that should not be misdiagnosed or mistreated. A current case review by Zhu et al. presents six cases initially diagnosed as systemic JIA, teaching several important lessons.

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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RA confers a 50–100% excess risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with the general population, with adjusted hazard/odds ratios ranging from 1.3–2.2 across large cohort studies (Vojinovic, Askling, Antovic; Rheumatology, 2026).

Joint Pain Prevalence is not Declining

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A current report from the national NHIS survey shows that over half of US adults diagnosed with arthritis reported moderate to severe joint pain.

JAMA: Review of Shoulder Pain

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Shoulder pain affects 16% of adults annually and is the third most common musculoskeletal presentation in primary care. This new review reframes the diagnostic and therapeutic approach, moving away from pathoanatomic labels (rotator cuff tendinopathy, impingement, bursitis) toward the umbrella term subacromial pain, since structural findings on imaging correlate poorly with symptoms and are common in asymptomatic people.

Efgartigimod Efficacy in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

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Today Argenx announced the results of their Phase 3 "ALKIVIA" study; demonstrating efficacy and safety of subcutaneous efgartigimod for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM, AKA inflammatory myositis).

Can Effective Psoriasis Therapy Prevent Psoriatic Arthritis?

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A review article assesses and integrates mechanistic, imaging, and clinical evidence to examine whether effective treatment of psoriasis may modify the future risk of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Doubting RS3PE (8.14.2026)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles this week where RheumNow featured info on cancer, deadly viruses, AI rules, poetry and good moons rising.