Remission – Believe it or Not (10.2.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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Prednisone Primer for Patients
The Washington Post published a patient overview on "what Prednisone does to your body".
Prednisone is a double-edged drug. It has been on the market since 1955, ranks among the 40 most-prescribed US drugs, and about 10 million Americans receive
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Prednisone Primer for Patients
The Washington Post published a patient overview on "what Prednisone does to your body".
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Residual steroids doesnt preserve remission. Japan FRANK #RA registry 411/3,863 were in Boolean remission - 130 on GC vs 231 non-GC (1/3 on b/tsDMARDs). Roughly 1/3 flared to LDA @12 mos. Outcomes same for GC vs non-GC Rx pts. https://t.co/xPctEjFCLT https://t.co/YIHFaQkzeO
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Rheumatology Pay Up (9.25.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Indian Single center retrospective study of 28 children ≤18 yrs tested w/ 18F-FDG-PET/MR for pyrexia (PUO). 25% Dx w/ pre-stenotic TAKayasu (mean 13.9 yrs), & 20/21 alternative Dxs. All had Sxs & high ESR/CRP; all Rx w/ GC & MMF, 3 w/ biologics https://t.co/6trs1WssjW https://t.co/EOPIarRhY5
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Steroid Delusions in Giant Cell Arteritis
A real world analysis of drug use in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients shows that despite intending to taper patients off glucocorticoids (GC) by 24 months, 75% remained on GCs for ≥ 48 months.
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Lifestyle and Incretin Therapy Advice for Rheumatologists
As GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists become standard co-management tools for obese patients with RA, PsA, axSpA, and gout, this JAMA Insights perspective by Kushner, et al. reframes lifestyle counseling as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy - a reversal of the traditional model. This has with direct
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Added IVIG is Effective in Myositis
A small randomized controlled trial demonstrates that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) added to cortocosteroids lead to greater and faster improvements in patients with newly diagnosed IIMs.
https://t.co/XLrvLSoOic https://t.co/xhjPBXLxiC
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Added IVIG is Effective in Myositis
A small randomized controlled trial demonstrates that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) added to cortocosteroids lead to greater and faster improvements in patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). https://t.co/uNNJ9sHU8M
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Single center study of FALLs in 124 ambulatory RA females ≥50 yrs.(age 68 yrs, DAS28 2.6, sarcopenia 16%, prior fall 25%). 27.4% had falls; predicted by prior fall hx (OR 2.76, hypnotics/anxiolytics (3.92), not steroids or sarcopenia (NS trend) https://t.co/J62RPF9rQs https://t.co/OKxdPl5Oev
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JAMA: Review of Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis
Smolen, Kerschbaumer, Aletaha, and Robinson have published a comprehensive review article of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in JAMA, noting significant changes to our understanding and treatment guidelines.
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The global inflammatory myopathies market size was valued at USD 1.81 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 2.67 billion by 2033 (CAGR of 5.00%). This applies to: Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Inclusion Body Myositis, Juvenile Myositis, Corticosteroids, https://t.co/vb7zfM76pO
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NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. Take this week's RheumIQ and test your knowledge!
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Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common disorder of the elderly that responds well to glucocorticoids (GC), but is plagued by an inability to wean off of GCs.
Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis
A secondary analysis of the VALOR trial has shown that the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor brepocitinib was effective at cutaneous disease activity outcomes, delivering rapid, clinically meaningful, and remission-level control of cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM).
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Guidelines for Adult-Onset IgA Vasculitis
A EUVAS-sponsored expert panel of 37 specialists across rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology and pathology has published evidence-based guidelines for adult-onset IgA vasculitis (IgAV), which behaves very differently in adults compared to usually self-limited childhood form.
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Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity
This review article addresses the recognition, prevention and management of glucocorticoid toxicity in rheumatic patients.
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French study of 90 RA F pts w/ 100 pregnancies (steroids 46% & biologics 39% were used). Vs 359 controls, RA had signif. more preterm birth (PTB;OR 2.08) & small for gestational age. SGA assoc w/ nulliparity (adj OR 4.38), PTB assoc w/ maternal age (aOR 1.14) & GC ≥10 mg/d (aOR https://t.co/StCJW2rsZI
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Doubting RS3PE (8.14.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles this week where RheumNow featured info on cancer, deadly viruses, AI rules, poetry and good moons rising.
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UK Clinical Practice Research Database study RA pts 3134 on glucocorticoids (vs not 4142 matched controls). were identified. GC use assoc w/ signif risk of SSRI initiation risk - recent GC (adj OR 1.53) & past GC (aOR 1.40). GC effect or confounding dz activity? Think depression! https://t.co/WZLkQWlURC
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Rethinking Treatment of EGPA
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) has long been managed by extrapolating results from microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis clinical trials. But new insights into EGPA's has lead to advances in therapy and new treatment paradigms.
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Machine learning study of 657 multiethnic Lupus pts - 14% had organic & 30% had neuropsychiatric damage. High Glucocorticoid dose was the strongest predictor or organic Dz. NP damage predicted by MD global, fatigue, pain, & steroids https://t.co/LVK57LxKk6 https://t.co/VLisZT7ReY
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Expert Perspective on Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
A recent perspective by Tedeschi tackles many unresolved issues around CPPD diagnosis, classification, and management, including the lack of clinical trials or FDA approved treatments.
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