Follow the Money (4.23.2026) Save

Dr. Jack Cush follows the money and all the news that fits the Rheumatology Gab for this past week. 

1. Citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) (from PMN extracellular traps - possible marker of PMN activation) studied in 65 MPA/GPA pts. CitH3 signif correlated w/ BVAS (r 0.393) & ESKD risk (adj HR 1.181) https://buff.ly/C0D0yuR
2. TriNetX study of 7,929 RA pts Rx w/ bDMARDs (n 2668) w/in 6 mos of elective hand surgery - perioperative bDMARD continuation (34%) was not associated with significant increases in risks of wound healing failures (1.4% vs 1.4%) or SSI (2% vs 1.5%) https://buff.ly/TZxvJ1d
3. FDA has accepted Genetech application for obinutuzumab (Gazyva) to treat SLE (currently only approved for lupus nephritis) - based on Phase III ALLEGORY study w/ Gazyva showing signif reduced dz activity https://t.co/hgYMJJDKGA
4. DESIR axSpA inception cohort study of 631 pts (no HTN), found no signif association between NSAID use & incident HTN. Over 10 YRs, 88 developed HTN (HR 1.01, 1.00–1.02) https://t.co/Gs9mPwthEj
5. Comorbidity burden, uveitis, & psoriasis independently assoc w/ greater spinal radiographic progression in AS. Study3,441 pts (75% male; 84% B27+). Progression greater w/ 2+ comorbidities & uveitis, & PSO https://t.co/WDUdjqiD4e
6. Chinese target emulation trial of MDA-5+, dermatomyositis w/ ILD. 106 Rx w/ UPA & 328 w/ TOFA. 6-month lung transplantation-free survival 72% vs 67% (UPA v TOFA). UPA non-inferior to TOFA in MDA5+DM-ILD https://t.co/BBAfbM06AM
7. Severe thrombocytopenia (TP) assoc w/ severe APS & increased mortality. Retro study of 432 #APS pts - 142 w/ TP (33%): 13% severe TP (<50L G/L). Severe TP assoc w/ ITP & CAP -had higher mortality https://t.co/p0bvLKupUe
8. IN 2025 DTC TV ad spending by top 10 incr to $2.67 billion (up from $2.1 B). Rheum Drugs in top 3: 1. Skyrizi $440 million 2. Tremfya $431 M 3. Rinvoq $376 M https://t.co/EsWgUqUy9Z
9. Mevalonate kinase deficiency (AKA hyper-IgD syndr-HIDS) is a rare autosomal recessive autoinflammatory dz of the MVK gene w/ exaggerated innate immunity & incr IL-1β production. Usually Dx in kids, milder forms of periodic fever syndrome have been seen in adults. https://t.co/0hAIz4JgY3
10. Does monotherapy work? network meta-analysis of 31 RCTs, 13 csDMARDs, Leflunomide, SSZ & gold were better than placebo & equal to MTX regarding annual xray progression scores. Evidence in favor BUT failed to study monoRx vs Combo Rx https://t.co/eHdRPAcnkd
11. Aspirin Cardiovascular Prevention in Giant Cell Arteritis
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