Gout Cavalcade (7.10.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory decisions from the past week. July is Gout: More than Flares month.
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Glucocorticoid use in 1st yr of 574 newly DX RA cases-- 75% recv GC in 1st yr; 313 (55%) Rx at 1st visit. (m GC dose =9.3 mg/day. 1/2 (47%) recv IA GC injx. 20% had 1st yr infx. Risk of infx was NS (RR 1.13; 0.77 to 1.67) for 0-10 mg/d vs no GC https://t.co/s9YaGZsUjr https://t.co/ESHvVK1Egx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
True or False: EULAR recommends glucocorticoids alone, without additional agents, for remission induction in life-threatening ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Did you get it right? Take this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/TBlB4pmnKa. https://t.co/4IsId6lJ4Y
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NEJM Retracts Pivotal ADVOCATE Trial of FDA-Approved Avacopan
MedPage Today
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) retracted the pivotal study supporting FDA's approval of avacopan (Tavneos) for severe forms of anti-neutrophil
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EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA
EULAR recommends a combination of glucocorticoids with either rituximab or cyclophosphamide for remission induction in life-threatening or organ-threatening AAV, followed by gradual tapering of glucocorticoids. https://t.co/9HI9SwMSSv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ICYMI: Glucocorticoid Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis
A randomized clinical trial of 60 patients found that glucocorticoid injections into the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) did not significantly reduce pain scores in patients with inflammatory knee osteoarthritis (compared to https://t.co/QhW7CMx72x
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ICYMI: Glucocorticoid Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis
A randomized clinical trial of 60 patients found that glucocorticoid injections into the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) did not significantly reduce pain scores in patients with inflammatory knee osteoarthritis (compared to placebo).
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ICYMI: EGPA Review
A current review of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) provides current recommendations on diagnosis and management.
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ICYMI: 2025 Update: EULAR Recommendations on Rheumatoid Arthritis Management
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has updated their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management recommendations, notably with fewer recommendations (total of 9, down from 11 in 2022 version), by merging and removing previous recommendations.
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Generic Tofacitinib (6.26.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from RheumNow.com. Updates on tofacitinib, CAR-T therapy and AI.
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EULAR26: Updates in SLE and APS
EurekAlert!
Severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (srSLE) is a clinical state conceptualised as persistent high disease activity despite standard care with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.
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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 )
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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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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