Do You Zoster Vaccinate? (6.19.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and best ways to review EULAR 2026.
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Steroids in SpA? DBRPCT of 94 (nonPsA) SpA pts w/ peripheral arthritis (SJC ≥ 2) placebo or steroids (GC) (csDMARDs background allowed). 76% male, age 32 yrs, TJC 10, SJC 3.6. Wk 24 there was no signif diff betw groups for ACR 50, ACR70 or PSpARC outcomes. https://t.co/snJovW31Uk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR 2026 Recommendations on PMR, GCA, and Takayasu Arteritis
On the final day of EULAR 2026, Mukhtyar et al (on behalf of a large international task force) presented the updated EULAR recommendations for management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). There were 5 overarching principles and 12
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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 https://t.co/JcerD61m0t
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoid use in AAV and GCA
Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of initial therapy for AAV and GCA—quickly reducing inflammation and preserving organs. EULAR has issued recommendations on glucocorticoid use in ANCA‑associated and https://t.co/hIOKyXDxyb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR 2026 Rheumatology RoundUp
It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.
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What’s New in Macrophage Activation Syndrome Therapeutics
MAS, the most severe complication of Still’s disease, is increasingly recognized as a cytokine-driven hyperinflammatory state centered on interferon gamma (IFNγ). Therapeutic advances presented at EULAR 2026 demonstrate both consolidation of established pathways and expansion into novel biologic
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Can you step down #belimumab
In well controlled #SLE without flaring?
N=22 on #BEL eligible of 152
Able to taper if
REM >6/12
No #steroids
Normal C3,C4
Neg #antiDNA
Remission maintained in pts who reduced dose
6/22 didn’t flare OFF Rx
✅nice
#POS1052 #EULAR2026
@RheumNow https://t.co/IEyfRtTGfT
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Do u screen your SLE pts for OP?
In this real-world multicenter study, SLE pts who were likely to be tested for BMD were older, had MSK s/sxs, sSJg & longer GC exposure.
RFs for OP: LN, higher dse. activity, longer GC use, high cumulative GC dose
POS1372 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/pAxhOPGGYs
sheila @RHEUMarampa( View Tweet )
#EULAR2026 LB0005 More promising news in #PMR. Phase 3 RCT of Baricitinib + GC Taper in N=46:
Part 1: BARI vs PBO 65% vs 17% GC-Free Remission at WK16
2: PBO-BARI improved response 17% to 65% at WK28
3: Lower remission rate in those stopped BARI vs continued at WK44 @RheumNow https://t.co/D77aHcACJE
Links:
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof @Yuz6Yusof( View Tweet )
+#RCT in #dermatomyositis with #brepocitinib
Oral #TYK2/JAK1i
241 pts
+outcomes
#TIS total improvement score
>40%TIS 68% v 44%
#steroid tapering
#skin improved rapidly #CLASI
#OP0166
#POS0264 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/9WZl9RsXXe
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
DR JOHN STONE gives Overview
Of
#IgG4
New non B cell depleter
#obexelimab N=194 in RCT
To add to B cell depletion w
#Inebilizumab
Off label but used also
#Rituximab
#steroids
#Immunesuppressives
Other investigational drugs
Ex #JAKi
#EULAR2026 @RheumNow
#OP018 #RULARbest https://t.co/Y4saGYcdww
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
‘Strong’ treatment predictions in inflammatory myositis
Presented at EULAR 2026 London, Brepocitinib dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor with successful Phase 3 VALOR trial demonstrating significant improvement in skin and muscle symptoms in dermatomyositis (DM).
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Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoid use in AAV and GCA
2026 EULAR Press Release
Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of initial vasculitis treatment, used to rapidly control inflammation and protect vital organs. EULAR has recommendations that cover glucocorticoid use in ANCA associated vasculitides (AAV) and large vessel vasculitis, including giant cell arteritis (GCA).1,2
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Digital Platforms and AI
2026 EULAR Press Release
EULAR works with the network of national organisations of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE) to ensure the voices of people with RMD are heard and have influence – creating powerful alliances that make a real difference. Artificial intelligence is another potential ally in that
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EGPA Review
A current review of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) provides current recommendations on diagnosis and management.
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Steroids
Corticosteroids remain a cornerstone of rheumatologic therapy — rapidly effective but chronically dangerous, as their power to suppress inflammation through inhibition of prostaglandins, lipoxygenase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and proteases comes at the cost of a https://t.co/PKdnFi1XSr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Medicare analysis of RA pts w/ metastatic nonsmall cell lung CA (mNSCLC) looked at 663 ICI-treated pts - 46% Rx w/ glucocorticoids (median Pred 6.6 mg/d). GC use was not associated with survival outcomes https://t.co/mwQeAgyKTC https://t.co/SR2XRD5Rhx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
APR: Steroids
https://t.co/FxqGaijo6w https://t.co/OrybGNXsdf
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA Targeting the Safety of Avacopan
The future of avacopan is up in the air. In April, the FDA issued a drug safety warning, previously requesting that Amgen to pull its rare disease drug Tavneos from the market. Now, there appears more pressure to remove it from the market.
The FDA’s concern is that the data, orginally
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Adjunctive Prednisolone for Kawasaki Disease
An NEJM study has shown that glucocorticoids provide no added benefit when added to standard primary treatment in Kawasaki disease patients.
https://t.co/dS1uwufh69 https://t.co/wpxyOYXp8l
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cross-sectional study from UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum looked at > 40K w/ #PMR Rx w/ steroids - 67% were coprescribed bisphosphonates (BP) & 79% Rx PPIs/H2RAs (less in males & pts deprived areas) resulting more Fx w/in 12 mos (2.32% vs 1.4%). https://t.co/b2DFJMjqCu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Retrospective study of 374 newly diagnosed microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) pts - 97 (26%) had severe infections w/in 6 mos - signif higher risk w/ high dose prednisone & chronic lung Dz. most common: bacterial (43%) & lung infx https://t.co/XXAxUZw7kx https://t.co/atK8Ob9zyQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Adjunctive Prednisolone for Kawasaki Disease
An NEJM study has shown that glucocorticoids provide no added benefit when added to standard primary treatment in Kawasaki disease patients.
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