Tweets
Kick off 2026 with #RheumNowLive—two days of cutting-edge rheumatology, rapid-fire STEP talks, interactive Q&A, and real-world insights with Drs. Jack Cush, Arthur Kavanaugh, and a powerhouse faculty.
Register: https://t.co/QeIm7OE6yM https://t.co/ToFO4xEFbx
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 3 weeks ago
Data from NHIS surveys show in the USA 24.8 million adults with arthritis reported having an activity limitation AND that the arthritis attributable work limitations in US adults 18-64 yrs affects 38.8%.
https://t.co/Ul2GjrFqfp
https://t.co/Ul2GjrFqfp https://t.co/qzJQwBYDWT
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
VA registry study; among 2771 RA pts (~65y), 64 (2.3%) had CPPD by ICD9/10 codes. RA+CPPD pts signif older [68 v. 64y], w/ more comorbidity/OA (94 v 80%), spine Dz, DM, but less ACPA (63 v 78%). SNRA+CPPD achieved less LDA, more use of pred & b/tsDMARDs (OR >2), death, TJR. Is https://t.co/hUPJzDseVc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
AC&R metanalysis of Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) in adults - 46 studies (n=23,000 pts). GJH required 6 or more Beighton criteria, w/ prevalence of 2%, but 5% in young adults (18-25 yrs). Propose Dx thresholds should vary w/ age = ≥6/9 (18-25y), ≥5/9 (26-65y) & ≥4/9 https://t.co/fgDGKwUozh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Obesity and Low Back Pain
A large patient population study finds weight gain, increases risk for low back pain - the risk increased 7% for every BMI unit or 10 pounds over ideal weight.
https://t.co/EZQwhLpNjg https://t.co/tIlEQmedp7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
58 newly Dx #PMR pts (on <8 wks steroids/GC) randomised 1:1 MTX 25 mg/wk or placebo, w/ 24-week GC-tapering protocol. @wk 52 GC-free remission achieved in 80% of MTX vs 46% of placebo pts (risk difference 34%, 1-sided 95% CI: 14%, 1-sided P = .0042) https://t.co/75SLx5LtqZ https://t.co/HtDAJe5VI2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Adult co-twin study of 1261 pairs, 1/2 Rx w/ metformin. Although metformin Rx Twin had higher BMI, they had significantly less incident peripheral OA (adjusted HR 0.60; 0.44–0.82). @ 10 yrs, 6.7% of treated twins, vs 9.7% of non-treated twins had incident OA, with difference of https://t.co/7KpiGssFSo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Systematic review of Difficult-to-treat RA (D2T-RA): 23 articles, 27,987 RA pts from 13 countries - pooled prevalence of D2T-RA was 11.7% (10.9% overall; 13.2% in b/tsDMARDs-treated RA). 47% D2T-RA had persistent inflammatory refractory RA (PIRRA). Prevalence decreased w/ https://t.co/0Gatzbfxid
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Anti-mitochondrial M2 Ab (AMA-M2) in 987 IIM pts-- 55 (6%) were AMA-M2 positive. AMA-M2+ had signif. higher rates of polymyositis (56% vs 23.5%), GGT, alk phos levels, & 3 fold more cardiac involvement (60 vs 13%) (arrhythmias, CHF, pulm HTN (31-56%), but no effect on survival https://t.co/WYWeDpiYOh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
DPC - direct primary care offices run by nurse practitioners - states that allow independent NP practices have NPs opening DPC offices, that operate under a membership model, with pts paying for access to the office services, tests, and imaging. Over 2,300 DPC offices currently
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
APP Pearls “Steroids: Set a stop date upfront, educate on side effects, and teach "every milligram matters." Prevents dependence and eases tapering” - Barbara A. Slusher, MSW, PA-C, DFAAPA, DipACLM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Congratulations to Dr. Proton Raman - a world class rheumatologist and research scientist!!! https://t.co/ofzGLsofi0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Best of 2025: 2025 BSR Guideline for Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
The British Society of Rheumatology's 2025 Guidelines for treating axSpa focus on both axial and extra-musculoskeletal issues like uveitis, psoriasis, and IBD. They evaluate the effectiveness and safety of https://t.co/fxFcqy13g7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
Comorbidity and Health Management: Tuesday Night Rheumatology Join panelists Vanessa Hill, NP-C, Lindsay Tom, PA-C, Barb Slusher, MSW, PA-C and Jack Cush, MD as they discuss comorbidity and health management in rheumatic disease. https://t.co/3KMgBW1Q4W https://t.co/4dVfKd7uy5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
UK study of 1846 RA pts starting a b/tsDMARDs, ~30% on steroids & majority (2/3) continued use over the first year of new novel treatment. This suggests these aer either severe RA pts or that we are not vigilant in limiting/weaning/stopping steroids in RA patients - which is it? https://t.co/7NWeAWTjSy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
7 months 4 weeks ago
