Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey

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RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis. The first survey on RA Treatment (7/28/2025) sheds light on evolving prescribing habits, use of biologics, and key frustrations in RA care.

Aging Quiets Lupus

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UCSF researchers have found that epigentic changes in interferon genes over time may lead to lupus being less active as they age. Lupus is a “classic” autoimmune disease. It causes the immune system’s first-line viral defenses — known as interferons — to attack the body. Nearly every organ is at risk, leading to conditions like kidney and heart disease. But unlike many other autoimmune or chronic illnesses, lupus can improve as patients reach their 60s and 70s.

A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA.

FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA

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SetPoint Medical announced that the FDA has approved the company’s SetPoint System, a first-in-class neuroimmune modulation innovation for treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for those who are not adequately managed by—or cannot tolerate—existing advanced RA therapies, such as biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs.

Options for Refractory axSpA or PsA

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Although most patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) didn't respond adequately to the interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitor ixekizumab (Taltz), enough did that it should still be considered in such cases, a Danish registry study indicated.

Rituximab is not Superior in EGPA

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A cohort study of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (EGPA) patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group failed to show superiority of rituximab compared to conventional strategy with glucocorticoids (GS) alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide.

Rheumatology Salaries Remain Low

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The annual Medscape Physician Compensation report was published and shows only modest salary gains for most specialists.

Top 20 Best Rheumatology Hospitals - 2025

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U.S. News & World Report has published its Best Hospitals for 2025, listing the best among many specialties, including rheumatology.  Each year, U.S. News ranks hospitals in 15 specialties and for the 8th year in a row, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has been named the top hospital for rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report.

HCQ Preserves Renal Function in Lupus Nephritis

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Lupus nephritis patients on long-term therapy with hydroxychloroquine showed significantly less decline in renal function, compared with patients treated otherwise, a 10-year retrospective study indicated.

Factors Affecting Biologic Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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A San Francisco Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel cohort survey between 1999–2011, showed numerous sociodemographic, disease, and health characteristics that influenced the initiation of treatment with biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

CKD & Osteoporosis Rx Revisited (7.25.2025)

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

Osteoporosis Drug May Lower Osteoarthritis Risk

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A target trial emulation study using administrative claims suggests that romosozumab was associated with a lower risk of osteoarthritis than teriparatide among individuals with osteoporosis, particularly for knee osteoarthritis.