The Patient Journey with Rheumatic Disease
Oton and colleagues have reviewed the "patient journey" - from symptoms to specialty referral in those diagnosed with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
Systematic review of Rx options for #PMR (24 pubs, 10 RCTs, & 13 prognostic studies) concludes IL6-R inhibitors effective GC sparing agents; RTX & Tofa are promising. Quality trials needed to refine Rx & establish prognostic markers for decision-making. Fast-track clinics https://t.co/c3rI6u1aI6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Biologic Switching in Psoriasis
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that biologic switching was effective in a significant number of psoriasis patients; but there may be a price to pay.
Patients with psoriasis may be required to switch therapies, for a variet of reasons (
Wisdom of Medical Aphorisms
The American Journal of Medicine and Dr. Joseph S. Alpert have published a long list of smart, insightful and inspirational aphorisms from some of the greatest leaders in internal medicine. These aphorisms are timeless and should be passed from one generation of physicians to the next.
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Chondrocalcinosis Increases Osteoarthritis Risk
Analysis of data from two large, prospective cohort studies show that knee chondrocalcinosis was associated with an increased risk of incident knee osteoarthritis.
Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices
RheumNow surveyed clinicians worldwide on how their rheumatology practice, treatment decisions, and career outlooks have changed over the past 20 years. 242 respondents (68% from the USA) shared their perspectives on the changing landscape of rheumatoid arthritis care, practice patterns, and
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2025 ACR Guidance on Diagnosis and Management of VEXAS
The ACR has published a formal international consensus guidance on VEXAS as a resource for clinicians seeking to understand the disease and its management.
VEXAS is a rare genetic disorder; the acronym stands for Vacuoles E1 enzyme X-linked
Full read review of DMARD effects on CV Risks. Strongest CV protective effects for MTX & TNF inhibitors. Potentially beneficial are sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, & leflunomide. More info needed on IL-6, IL-17/23 inhibitors. Concerns over NSAIDs & JAKi https://t.co/0BW4StS15N
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA
SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/MtVny1iBQ4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.
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2025 BSR Recommendations for ANCA-associated Vasculitis
The BSR and BHPR have published a guideline for the management of adults with AAV; specifically three conditions: GPA, MPA, and EGPA.
https://t.co/nYpbBK7Ahr https://t.co/J4KcAzA5Xd
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Dermatomyositis Reviewed
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options.
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Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) over the last 20 years.
This study utilized the Global Burden of Disease
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - NEJM Review
Sandborg et al. has published an overview of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - its classification, biology, genetics, , clinical presentations and treatment advances in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
JIA is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the pediatric
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Full read review of DMARD effects on CV Risks. Strongest CV protective effects for MTX & TNF inhibitors. Potentially beneficial are sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, & leflunomide. More info needed on IL-6, IL-17/23 inhibitors. Concerns over NSAIDs & JAKi https://t.co/INEdCt0pxa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2025 BSR Recommendations for ANCA-associated Vasculitis
The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BHPR) have published a guideline for the management of adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV); specifically three conditions: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
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French retrospective observational study of Bx/CT/PET Dx of 380 #GCA pts found 7.6% (29) w/ Nl baseline CRP < 10 mg/L at Dx. GCA w/ low CRP had less fever, more ocular Dz (ant ischemic optic neuropathy 28 vs 13%), & limb claudication (24 vs. 8%) but equal relapse rates https://t.co/fPy92NjJzS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CCL17 is a downstream mediator of GM-CSF. Drug repurposing review of FDA approved Rx shows 5 Rx w/ anti-CCL17 effects - fluoxetine, ractopamine, ponesimod, terbutaline & etravirine, w/ inhibition of STAT5, IRF4 & CCL17 & shows antiinflamm effects in RA animal model https://t.co/2aTyZMWPJn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey
RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.
The first survey on RA Treatment (7/28/2025) sheds light on evolving prescribing habits, use of biologics, and key frustrations in RA
FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA
SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/McheSz30dl
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Aging Quiets Lupus
EurekAlert!
UCSF researchers have found that epigentic changes in interferon genes over time may lead to lupus being less active as they age. Lupus is a “classic” autoimmune disease. It causes the immune system’s first-line viral defenses — known as interferons — to attack the body. Nearly every organ is at
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TriNetX study of E-health record study of ~53k transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI) pts. 705 were on preoperative colchicine - these had signif reduction of post-TAVI heart block and AV/LBBB (RR 0.867 [95% CI, 0.756–0.994]) @ 1 month, but not at 6 months https://t.co/9tI2KFY7u7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
HCQ Preserves Renal Function in Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis (LN) patients on long-term therapy with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) showed significantly less decline in renal function, compared with patients treated otherwise, a 10-year retrospective study indicated. https://t.co/YpJGpAysUQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA.
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Rituximab is not Superior in EGPA
A cohort study of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (EGPA) patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group failed to show superiority of rituximab compared to conventional strategy with glucocorticoids (GS) alone or in combination https://t.co/h4B20Ngamj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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