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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Seronegative RA Disease Activity (7.17.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and Gout features from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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