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Anti-Rheumatic Rx

2026 Resolutions (1.9.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, announcements and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. More on Variable bendability, a better way to treat RA, and a novel advance for GLP1a in PsA; and 2026 Resolutions!

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Assess Reproductive Health in SLE Clinic Visits Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) mainly affects women of childbearing age, increasing their risk of infertility, miscarriages, and pregnancy complications due to disease factors and medications. Rheumatologists should actively https://t.co/hqWSpqJ6HN
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J&J announced positive topline results from Phase 2b JASMINE study showing the efficacy of of nipocalimab, FcRn blocker that reduces AutoAbs & B cell activity. Study met its 24 wk primary endpoint (SRI-4 response) vs placebo. There were no new safety signals https://t.co/87FZIogmkW
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GLP-1 Agonist plus IL-17 Inhibition in Obese Psoriatic Arthritis

Lilly announced the topline results from its phase 3b "TOGETHER PsA" trial, showing that the combination use of ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) was superior to IXE alone, yielding both significant weight loss and ACR50 disease control in adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA

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Subcutaneous Anifrolumab Effective in Lupus

ACR

A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology demonstrates that subcutaneous administration of anifrolumab provides efficacy comparable to intravenous administration, offering a promising alternative for at-home care of patients living with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus

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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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Japan retrospective study of 38 RA pts who developed MTX assoc lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) - 22 w/ spontaneous regression (SR) vs 16 non-SR (w/ 5 deaths). non-SR Pt had higher LDH levels at Dx & lower lymphocyte recovery 1 mo. post MTX withdrawal & higher mortality risk https://t.co/SsBQRxFvD1
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Obesity and Low Back Pain

EurekAlert!

A large patient population study finds weight gain,  increases risk for low back pain - the risk increased 7% for every BMI unit or 10 pounds over ideal weight. 

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Best of 2025: Variability of Guidelines on the Perioperative Use of DMARDs in Rheumatic Diseases Patients Despite advances in treatments reducing the need for major surgery, many rheumatic disease patients still require surgery while on DMARDs. A review of perioperative https://t.co/LHClCUvHrb
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APP Pearls “Ensure a patient understands the weekly dosing instructions for methotrexate” - Ben Smith, DMSc, PA-C

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SMART study - Single vs. Split Dose Methotrexate in RA Split dose weekly, oral methotrexate (MTX) was shown to be superior to single dose MTX in treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. https://t.co/JN5wPGNjao https://t.co/hI8dxWmZe8
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Best of 2025: 2025 BSR Guideline for Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis

Editor's note: This article was originally published April 22, 2025, and is being shared again as part of RheumNow's 'Best of 2025' series as we close out the year. Enjoy!

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2025 update of EULAR recommendations on lupus nephritis At the 2025 EULAR congress in Barcelona, Prof Dimitrios Boumpas presented updated EULAR recommendations on managing lupus nephritis (LN). The key change is that the historic standard of care (mycophenolate with https://t.co/78J1L80Zxe
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Best of 2025: Variability of Guidelines on the Perioperative Use of DMARDs in Rheumatic Diseases Patients

More effective treatments in patients with rheumatic diseases have resulted in less need for major surgery, yet a substantial number of RMD patients will undergo surgery often in the setting of DMARDs use. A scoping review looked at numerous clinical practice guidelines/recommendations for the

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Best of 2025: ERS/EULAR guidelines for CTD-related interstitial lung disease

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) have published clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of connective tissue diseases (CTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in two simultaneous publications in

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Hydroxychloroquine for Everyone Nearly 25 years ago, while lecturing on best therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I loudly stated that hydroxychloroquine was “useless” and, deservedly, I was “boo-ed” off stage. My point then was that rheumatologists needed to be aggressive, https://t.co/rlnogTqk49
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Rapid rituximab infusions are safe & efficient. Metanalysis of 7 RCTs, 538 pts w/ autoimmune/rheumatic dz, showed infusions(RTX 1000 mg) of 90-120 min (w/ premedication) had low risk (3-15%) of mild (Grades 1, 2) infusion Rxns; only 6 Grade 3 Rxns https://t.co/uVKuhhc80F https://t.co/9EhyBpSaAE
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Best of 2025: Targeting Obesity in Rheumatic Disease Patients

Sattar et al. has published an informative overview of the effect of obesity on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). They estimate that nearly 70% of RMD patients are overweight or obese.

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JAMA -- Full read review "Uveitis in Adults:" - affects adults 20 to 50 years - noninfectious anterior uveitis: corticosteroids 1st line Rx - posterior noninfectious uveitis: DMARDs 1st line Rx; Biologics 2nd line https://t.co/BJQkPtK2z2 https://t.co/0puqX5iieE
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Best of 2025: Antifibrotics - A New Class of Therapies in Rheumatology? Recent large-scale clinical trials have broadened therapeutic options for SARD-ILD beyond immunosuppressants, offering new hope for patients with these serious conditions. https://t.co/RLlOdEWTOa https://t.co/UI9cdJ5Ovd
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Best of 2025: Hydroxychloroquine for Everyone

Nearly 25 years ago, while lecturing on best therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I loudly stated that hydroxychloroquine was “useless” and, deservedly, I was “boo-ed” off stage. My point then was that rheumatologists needed to be aggressive, if not overly aggressive, in treating all RA

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2025 ACR Guideline for the Treatment of SLE The ACR has released its 2025 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) treatment guidelines and consensus-based good practice statements, applicable to children and adults with SLE. https://t.co/2NFwTllLZa https://t.co/S7Cwzbgnde
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Best of 2025: Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used DMARD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, there is significant intolerance to this drug among adult RA patients - especially at doses above 15 mg per week. https://t.co/hzfF7UVKVI
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Best of 2025: Distinguishing Septic and Gouty Arthritis

A single center, retrospective review of patients undergoing knee joint fluid aspirations for presumed crystalline arthritis (CA) showed that synovial WBC may provide a useful diagnostic marker for SA with an optimal threshold of 50,000 cells/mm3.

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Best of 2025: 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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