Kissei Pharmaceuticals announced 20 deaths related to receiving avacopan (Tavneos), a vasculitis drug sold by the firm in Japan. Drug was released in June 2022, since its been given to ~8,500 pts. Avacopan safety is being reviewed by FDA with Amgen. https://t.co/ri0nROCL5U https://t.co/jbksrWMFwI

FDA has approved a dosing update for burosumab-twza (Crysvita, Kyowa Kirin) to allow for increased dose and frequency when needed in adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). https://t.co/EPyp6tDsaf https://t.co/1HEaQRk9BR

Goofy study of the month! (pub in JAMA!) RCT 170 adults w/ chronic LBP + MRI disc herniation found that amoxicillin-clavulanate, 500 mg/125 mg bid x 3 mos did not improve pain at 3 or 12 mos (vs PBO). Whatha... https://t.co/njrw6itAP8 https://t.co/CW2ssNPxf1

Prospective study of 40 newly Dx, Tx-naïve RA pts starting MTX; Of serum cytokines tested, high baseline IL-6 & IL-17 was assoc w/ nonresponse to MTX. Yet, still not good response biomarkers. TNF-α & GM-CSF did not assoc w/ MTX outcomes https://t.co/YIQKop9LMH https://t.co/XxwcRsKwoM

Israel study 264,858 pregnancies- 1st trimester NSAID exposure had no risk of congenital malformations (MCM). 8% exposed vs unexposed: overall MCM 8.2% v 7%; aRR 0.99). MCMs not incr = MSK, CV, CNS, cleft palate, GI, GU, nonsignif MSM aRR from 0.77- 1.05 https://t.co/ytYhBFl44o https://t.co/1fq4D1KykM

ABA versus HCQ in Palindromic Rheumatism Palindromic rheumatism may develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could be an at-risk population. A pilot trial compared abatacept (ABA) versus hydroxychloroquine and demonstrated ABA reduces RA development in a 2 year study. https://t.co/z0ptEYdhQj

APR: Fibromyalgia Dr. Jack Cush reviews Fibromyalgia as part of the Advanced Practice Rheum video series. https://t.co/jq6dSXy6SU https://t.co/bDGRhhY2D9

In this week's RheumIQ quiz: An RA patient has a current or new cancer. With which cancer should you avoid/stop the use of a TNF inhibitor? See if you got it right at https://t.co/DTabBEfjj9 https://t.co/tVYUEjAPy3

Study of 305 newly Dx axSpA pts (age 38 yrs; 55% male, Dx delay 6yrs, 75% B27+). Clinical Dx, without Xray/imaging in 12%, 5% developed sacroiliitis during 8 yr F/U. r-axSpA mostly male w/ ^CRP https://t.co/zGjb3uSkjP https://t.co/3bdGAvKXAm

Medical Economics reports only 18% MDs practiced in MD-owned settings, a new low. By Jan '26 hospitals or corporate employment rose to 550,494 & independent MDs fell to 120,900 https://t.co/l0tt3yO9kt https://t.co/pkgmHFPjE1

Depression screening (PHQ-8) equally accurate in pts w/ & w/o chronic pain. Depression screening is not biased by overlapping symptoms in depression and chronic pain. https://t.co/UWf97NDPAK https://t.co/7dvt35RT9E

Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026) Dr. Jack Cush discusses his favorite journal articles from the past week on RheumNow. https://t.co/MzqDykG78w https://t.co/z7BsADXo4x