Mentshlichkeit* (8.7.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and recent journal reports on RheumNow.com.
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“We may have all come on different ships; but we’re in the same boat now.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
U Alberta Rheumatology study of GCAPS score in 62 new onset, suspected GCA referrals. GCA Dx in 39 pts excluded in 23. 50% had a High risk GCAPS (screening) score, 38% Intermediate & 13% had Low risk GCAPs. Intermediate or High risk GCAPS sensitivity 97%, specificity 30%, PPV 70% https://t.co/gKD1Je3QRH
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True or False: In a 6-month RCT for refractory ITP, combining baricitinib with danazol achieved a durable response rate more than double that of danazol monotherapy.
Take this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/yQn8cIT5Cw to see if you got it right! https://t.co/MJSw1gYUob
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Top 20 Best Rheumatology Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report has published its Best Hospitals for 2026-2027, listing the best among many specialties, including rheumatology. At the top of the list are Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), https://t.co/IjGwcDQehq
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A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)
The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74.
https://t.co/Qti4Nay6NX https://t.co/gjmY7G4XAc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Arrhythmias in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease
A new review in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (Tamirisa et al) synthesizes how SLE, RA, and SSc have an increased risk of arrhythmias and SCD attributable to shared immune pathways. These facts substantiate the https://t.co/CSkRW7JRr1
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Air Pollution Increases RA Activity and Flares
MedPage Today
In this study from Korea, levels of small particulate matter correlated with increased RA disease activity and risk for disease flares.
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U Alberta Rheumatology study of GCAPS score in 62 new onset, suspected GCA referrals. GCA Dx in 39 pts excluded in 23. 50% had a High risk GCAPS (screening) score, 38% Intermediate & 13% had Low risk GCAPs. Intermediate or High risk GCAPS sensitivity 97%, specificity 30%, PPV 70% https://t.co/HxHL60VAuO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Top 20 Best Rheumatology Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report has published its Best Hospitals for 2026-2027, listing the best among many specialties, including rheumatology. Each year U.S. News Best Hospitals ranked hospitals in the U.S. in 14 adult specialties and for the 9th year in a row, Johns Hopkins Hospital in
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Keep HCQ Blood Levels Up to Avoid Cardiovascular Disease in Lupus
MedPage Today
People taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed markedly increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease when blood levels of the drug were low and when long-term adherence was poor, a prospective study showed.
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💡 JAMA Insights: #SleepHealth and #obesity are linked, with insufficient sleep quantity and poor sleep quality associated with weight gain, less healthy diet, and incident obesity.
https://t.co/SEj9dwNHiW https://t.co/JbPah4BwDr
JAMA @JAMA_current( View Tweet )
A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)
The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74. The following are declarations, tributes, and memories dedicated to this mensch of a man, titan of science, memorable mentor and humble physician.
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Treatment goals in gout: aim for remission!
Rheumatologists are used to the concept of disease remission as this is a treatment goal we use for many chronic rheumatic diseases in our clinical practice. Recently, G-CAN (the Gout and Crystal Arthritis Network), endorsed a https://t.co/PP2NBqvo7E
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Arrhythmias in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease
A new review in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (Tamirisa et al) synthesizes how systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis have an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death attributable to shared immune pathways.
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JAMA Review of Hip Fracture
The July 16th edition of JAMA reviews the highly prevalent problem of hip fractures - a major global health burden: 14.2 million occur worldwide annually (280,000 in the US), with global incidence higher in women (833.9/100,000) than men (510.0/100,000). Lifetime risk at age 50 is 22.9% for
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Interferon-α as an Immunologic Driver of Sjögren's Disease
Using data from a Sjogren's registry, researchers have shown that IFNα drives Sjögren's disease, and can be elevated a decade before diagnosis. This study assessed the role of type 1 interferon (IFNα) in its onset and https://t.co/Clj9u5COzQ
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Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Dz new terminology from 2026 G-CAN consensus. Preferred:
- acute CPP crystal arthritis
- Chronic CPP crystal arthritis
- Chronic CPP crystal arthritis
- OA w/ CPP
- Chondrocalcinosis (xray)
* Pseudogout is obsolete
https://t.co/bsztXz9UDs https://t.co/GOey5YmKif
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Social Media (SM) for Health Information by US (sample 7278 adults) - SM use reported by 88% (representing ~ 228 million). ~22% adults made health decisions based on SM, despite almost 78% reporting distrust of SM. Lower SM use in older, rural, less educated. https://t.co/uYYzBvckFu
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Methotrexate Safety Tips (7.31.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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The Wider Implications of Dactylitis
Dactylitis, AKA the "sausage digit", is a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but as Possemato and colleagues point out, it is fundamentally a clinical sign, and not a diagnosis.
https://t.co/HRaIvMHMSV https://t.co/XOcHbFVMsS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Four Decades of Gout Management
During this month-long campaign on Gout, we have documented many significant changes in our approach to gout, as well as many unmet needs and deficiencies that merit our continued, primary attention. We are all familiar with the famous 1905 quote, “Those who cannot remember the past
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Yesterday the EMA approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for the Treatment of Adults and Adolescents with Non-Segmental Vitiligo - the 1st therapy approved for the most common form of vitiligo. Based on positive results from the Phase 3 Viti-Up trials https://t.co/MMv5LjZclQ https://t.co/zN41GC5T15
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Upgrading & Maximizing the Classics
Panelists: Dr. Angelo Gaffo Dr. Lisa Stamp Dr. Michael Pillinger Dr. Ted Mikuls Dr. Jack Cush (moderator)
https://t.co/gO4CQD2f19 https://t.co/ESSLL0iK8F
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Swimming Reduces Disability from Low Back Pain
Swimming is commonly recommended for patients with chronic low back pain. Yet, there is little trial data investigating swimming. An Australian study has shown for the first time that a program of swimming can be clinically https://t.co/OfxsvRjyJg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Therapeutic Updates
5-Year Results of an IL-23 Inhibitor in Patients With PsA
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Alvin Wells and Dr. Shikha Singla share their clinical perspectives on using an IL–23 inhibitor to manage patients with PsA throughout their treatment journey in the context of 5-year data from the KEEPsAKE trial program.
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Sjögren’s Disease – What Are You Missing?
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
What could you be missing in Sjögren's disease? Explore hypothetical patient cases with atypical presentations, systemic manifestations, and overlooked symptoms. Gain expert insights and practical tips for clinical assessment from Dr Shereen Mahmood and learn how the ESSDAI can help you measure disease activity.
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Recent Blogs
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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Podcasts
Systemic Burden of Gout Part 1
Gout Lessons from the Clinic Part 2
Upgrading & Maximizing the Classics (Colchicine, Allopurinol, etc.)
