Do You Zoster Vaccinate? (6.19.2026) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and best ways to review EULAR 2026.

1. Usual testing for SSA (Ro) pos. in Sjogrens identifies both Ro52 + Ro60 Abs, found in 70% of SjD. Pts who are double pos (Ro52+Ro60) have more severe dz, more B cell activity. Ro60+ have milder dz; Recent report shows SjD pts have Ro60-specific CD4 T cells, activating Bcells https://buff.ly/ANDqMqn
2. Prevalence of GI involvement in dermatomyositis (DM) was assessed in 2 cohorts (n = 167). Severe GI involvement seen in 18% NXP2+ & 6% MDA5+; more common w/ NXP2 than other DM (HR 8.85). NXP2 w/ severe GI dz were younger, facial edema @dx w/ both skin & muscle dz activity. https://buff.ly/yseKdk9
3. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) in knee OA? Multiple open label studies & metanalyses suggest a clear pain benefit; BUT 3 sham-controlled RCTs have not demonstrated a statistically significant benefit over placebo. GAE is not addressed by ACR or EULAR guidelines. https://t.co/4JPm7gzCue
4. Nature has published that Hyperglycosylation is a metabolic driver of Alzheimer’s Dz (AD) & Glucosamine (GS; taken by ~7% over 70yrs) & GS may increase hyperglycosylation. A retrosp EHR study of AD pts shows glucosamine use assoc w/ accelerated AD progression & worse survival https://t.co/bv6H9h6gAv
5. Induction of Cure in Early Arthritis treated early DMARD-naïve Undiff. Arthritis (≥2 joints) w/ NSAIDs (29), MTX 15-25/wk (28), or baricitinib 4 mg/d (28) x 3 mos. Entry DAS ~ 2.4 w/ 2-3 SJC, <17%CCP+. @3 mos Bari > NSAID (DAS−0.52;p=0.01) = MTX (−0.39, p=0.09).@1yr MTX DAS was 1.3, NSAID 1.6, Bari 1.7. https://t.co/1kKjginhKM
6. 20% sample (949) of elder RA Medicare pts (2009-2022) on TNFi who either stopped or tapered TNFi found 38% sustained de-escalation, while 62% re-escalated within a median of 164d. Re-escalation was more likely in Blacks, Hispanic/other, with a lower comorbidity burden. https://t.co/rEB3VdOii2
7. Danish hospital 574 newly diagnosed RA pt, 75% recv glucocorticoids (GC) in 1st yr (55% 1st visit) -- mean dose was 9.3 mg/day, with 46% recv oral tablets & 47% IA steriods injections. 20% had an infection in 1st Yr (RR 1.13; 0.77 to 1.67). Doses declined after 1st visit, but not in all pts. https://t.co/JcerD61m0t
8. MTX: SC vs Oral? Metanalysis of 9 RCTs, 974 RA pts. Compared w/ oral, SC MTX signif. incr odds of ACR20 (RR=1.15), ACR50 (RR=1.14) & reduced GI adverse events (RR=0.58), diarrhea (RR=0.42): BUT no difference in ACR70, DAS28-ESR, bioavailability AUC, or other AE https://t.co/tQeQz7H7do
9. US telehealth utilization rose 10.1% in 1st quarter of 2026 (5% to 5.51% medical claims). Most use in mental health conditions (52%) w/ joint/soft tissue dz at 3% overall, higher in west & NE states. 57% for outpt visits, only 7.7% for new visits. 35% for psychotherapy services. https://t.co/L8c7p3iQPL
10. Kyoto U. cohort study of 55 relapsing polychondritis pts (503 Pt-yrs) Rx w/ TNFi, IL-6i or none -- Crude relapse rates were 46.9/100PYs NoBio, 22.4 TNFi, & 12.5 IL-6Ri. Adjusted relapses signif lower w/ TNFi (IRR 0.4) & IL-6Ri (IRR 0.2) vs no biologic. Estimates for hospitalised infx were imprecise  https://t.co/h6IcVWjqfp
11. RheumIQ Weekly Quiz | RheumNow https://rheumnow.com/game
12. Single center study of 102 pts starting JAK inhibitor (72% >50yrs; 77% RA) shows only 27.5% received at least one RZV vaccination dose (Shingrix) & only 3 recv RZV within 30 daysof a JAK inhibitor. ????? (I vaccinate everyone going on a JAKi w/ Shingrix - don't you?) https://t.co/j2jrBIiuOo
13. EULAR 2026: Updated Recommendations for Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
14. EULAR 2026 Recommendations on PMR, GCA, and Takayasu Arteritis
15. EULAR Rheum Roundup
16. Topic Panels
    1. RA topic panel
    2. PsA topic panel
    3. CAR-T  topic panel
17. Daily Recaps
    1. Day 1&2 Recap panel
    2. Day 3 Recap panel
    3. Day 4  Recap panel