Valentine RNL 2025 Review (2.14.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from RheumNow Live 2025 held in Dallas, TX on Feb. 8-9, 2025.
News
EGPA in 2025
Formerly classified as an ANCA-associated vasculitis, EGPA is both most commonly ANCA negative and clinically different to the other two ANCA-associated vasculitis conditions, GPA and MPA. The management of EGPA has frequently fallen into the trap of being copied from its more common and well-known cousins. Now, however, we are seeing a discordance and following GPA/MPA management will potentially lead to both over-treatment and suboptimal treatment for EGPA. In this context, the Sunday morning session at RNL 2025 on “EGPA management in 2025 and beyond” by Dr. Michael Wechsler was both timely and clinically relevant.
That's not my problem - or is it? Multimorbidity in RA
Traditionally, rheumatologists have often been deferential to the non-articular concerns in RA to other providers, though these issues are often left unaddressed. What role do rheumatologists have in the management of multimorbidity in our patients?
Will AI put me out of a job?
The development of AI and other technologies brings new possibilities for optimizing diagnosis, management and has potential for improving outcomes in RA. At RheumNow Live 2025, Dr. Jeff Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, presented a talk on, "AI applied to Rheumatoid Arthritis Care: Practically (Not) Perfect".
Obinutuzumab Efficacy in Active Lupus Nephritis
A phase 3, randomized controlled trial of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, obinutuzumab, was shown to be effective and safe in patients with active lupus nephritis.
“Preventing” Arthritis in Psoriasis
The always compelling Dr. Alexis Ogdie explored whether aggressive treatment of psoriasis can prevent psoriatic arthritis in an excellent Saturday morning session at RheumNow Live 2025.
Drug Naming Games (2.7.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, regulatory and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Granzyme - a major driver of inflammatory & autoimmune diseases
EurekAlert!
Our immune system is armed with an array of defenses designed to detect and eliminate harmful threats. One of its most powerful defense mechanisms is the complement system—a group of proteins that patrols our body, ever vigilant for signs of infection or injury.
Cannabis Hospitalizations and Mortality Risk
A Canadian population, retrospective cohort study shows individuals needing hospital-based (emergency department or hospitalization) care for a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were at increased risk of death.
ACR Commends Legislation Addressing Harmful Medicare Payment Cuts to Physicians
ACR
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025, legislation to fully offset the harmful 2.8% cut in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Becoming Milder?
A 24 year, prospective study analyzing very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in three consecutive eras suggests that RA has evolved since 2005, demonstrating less seropositivity, inflammation, and erosions but is characterized by more comorbidity, smoking and corticosteroid use.
Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
BMC has published a full read literture review of pharmacological pain management in rheumatoid arthritis, pointing out that the best evidence for pain control comes from the use of DMARDs and treat-to-target strategies.
