Early tocilizumab leads to less hospitalization in #GCA. TriNetX study of 127 GCA Rx (w/in 3 mos Dx) w/ TCZ+GC vs GC alone (127). Early TCZ had 36% less hosp in 12 mos (19.7 vs 30.7%) but no diff in vascular events. Abstract #166 #ACR26 https://t.co/a9WfEMQ8wg https://t.co/ors9EBYb6T

GCA with normal CRP? French study of GCA > 50 yrs, dx w/ temp artery Bx 67% or imaging (US, PET) + nl Baseline CRP <10 mg/L. 74 pts (age 73 yrs) 84% filled 2022 Dx criteria. Low CRP pt had less fever, fatigue, wt loss, PMR Sxs & more ischemic Sxs and strokes. They were more https://t.co/olL8Vf93DW

TARA study from China - Ph2 H2H Girocitinib (JAK1/TYK2i) vs Tofacitinib in active RA refractory to bDMARDS. 459 pts, ACR50 @wk 24 Giro 73% vs Tofa 49% (p<0.0001), also superior at ACR20, ACR70, DAS remission, CDAI<10. H.Zoster 3%. Abst#LB21 #ACR26 https://t.co/JZLjQx4vSa https://t.co/51gaIOKTWf

Are clinical scenarios into AI chatbots useful? (both specialized eg OpenEvidence or generalist eg ChatGPT): performance will vary (platform but also model, effort) prompt structure critical users (patients & clinicians) need to know real limitations ABST0869 #ACR26 @RheumNow https://t.co/vPNvJlSXZY

Who will progress in #SSc-ILD? +Scl70 Male African American #smoker Worsening #mRSS #aspiration CRP, KL6? 60 SSc-ILD v 19 SSc no ILD FVC%pred related to baseline #KL6 & #ICAM-1 But NOT predicted worsening But small study Better markers needed #ACR26 0037 @RheumNow @ACRheum https://t.co/mvpL17Mdjr

Impt pathway for #fibrosis & #inflammation? FIbrosis in #sarcoidosis mediated thru #TL1A Myeloid cells —granulomas TL1A effects TNF IL1beta IL6 IL17 Drugs could be effective Some already in #IBD Ex #Tulisokibart #Duvakitug #Afimkibart 🤷 #O019 #ACR26 @RheumNow @ACRheum https://t.co/GPKwEqWFkh

Short #telomeres are associated w #IPF Cool study from #UCSF @ACRheum #ACR26 showed #senescence In #PPF & #SARD-ILD -epithelial remodeling w #DNA damage Same theme leading to ILD—#fibrosis ?Rx pathway for repair #0025 @RheumNow https://t.co/8wjtYgBXNF

I used to think #SSc #scleroderma pts w #SjD #Sjogren’s did better as more Mild ‘#CREST’ Nope 👎 #CSRG study N>1000 pts showed #SjD had =#mRSS But ⬆️#GI #gut issues ⬆️ #ILD ? From +#Ro ⬇️worse #QoL #0231 #ACR26 @ACRheum @RheumNow https://t.co/A4zxpc24XN

Rx of calcinosis in #SSc is ‘hard’ Small RCT of BID topical #sodium #metabiosulfite v #PBO neg #trial but a trend to some imaging improvement at 4 mo Tough trial to do ?need: Larger, longer study Higher dose? Try sodium #thiosulfate instead #0226 #ACR26 @ACRheum @RheumNow https://t.co/CyA1k4rnNr

Use deep B cell depletion in #diffuse #scleroderma if #rituximab fails? 🤞 Small case series from France showed #obinutuzimab seemed to be well tolerated and reduced #skin #score #mRSS post #RTX which was d/c for loss of effect or infusion rx’n Need RCT @RheumNow #0222 #ACR26 https://t.co/iEv2T4XcYS