Increased Polypharmacy in SLE Patients
A cross-sectional study of US adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) shows significantly increased prevalence of polypharmacy, related to age, disease outcomes and often, non-SLE common medications.
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Adverse drug events (ADEs) studied in autoimmune rheum Dz (ARDs). In 10,578 ARD pts 30% had 1+ ADE, highest in SSc (36%). Polypharmacy (57.3% minor, 39.4% major) contrib to increasing ADEs. ADEs were more from Sx Rx (antacids, Tylenol, psychotropics) than DMARDs. https://t.co/BOAfU1DyIN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's
A small pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/tyd1efUtca https://t.co/zcY7RyX8SZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Integrating D2T into T2T Practices in RA
EurekAlert!
Researchers at Semmelweis University analyzed how depression, smoking, obesity, sleep disorders, and other health problems are linked to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T-RA) and how this can inform treat-to-target (T2T) and individualized therapy.
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LRA Awards for Immune Resetting Therapies in Lupus
Lupus Research Alliance
Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the world’s largest private funder of lupus research, in collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced the inaugural recipients of
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RHEUM SURVEY> Per 2024 EULAR Guidelines, an active RA pt on MTX who fails a 1st TNFi, should next change to ?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RHEUM SURVEY> Per 2024 EULAR Guidelines, an active RA pt on MTX who fails a 1st TNFi, should next change to ?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The safe/right choice is H. Zoster. You never fully eradicate invasive fungal or NTM infections. HBV is too risky to again use TNFi again. After H.zoster is Rx,there is evidence its safe to restart TNFi without risk of recurrence. Vagal N. Stim is the mechanistically same as
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Best JAKi? Italian Observational BIRRA Cohort study of 170 #PsA pts Rx w/ UPA or TOFA found no significance in 6 mos (86 vs 78%) or 12 mos (68 v 60%) retention. Persistence lower in pts Concomitant or later csDMARDs. https://t.co/vtSrO9orh4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's
A small, pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.
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Trends and Innovations in Lupus Nephritis Clinical Trials
Xu et al. from Shanghai University have written an analysis of global lupus nephritis (LN) clinical trials and call for innovation.
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Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) has recommended Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for public reimbursement. This recommendation is for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy https://t.co/TC1MVAShdC https://t.co/flXVmLwGtW
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RHEUM Survey: After treating which infection can you safely resume anti-TNF therapy?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RHEUM Survey: After treating which infection can you safely resume anti-TNF therapy?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ABA versus HCQ in Palindromic Rheumatism
Palindromic rheumatism may develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could be an at-risk population. A pilot trial compared abatacept (ABA) versus hydroxychloroquine and demonstrated ABA reduces RA development in a 2 year study. https://t.co/XPP7CSxGad
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
HCQ: 5 mg/kg/day Is Only the Starting Point
HCQ is one of the most important drugs in rheumatology, especially for SLE. It reduces flares, organ damage, cardiovascular events, and pregnancy complications, and it improves survival. Yet many clinicians still prescribe HCQ as if https://t.co/Fwr92tuZf2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Quiz Talk (5.22.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush talks of birthdays, Quizzes and journal articles this week on the podcast.
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BE BOLD Week 16 data - Bimekizumab vs. Risankizumab in PsA
UCB has released the Week 16 results from BE BOLD trial that will be presented at EULAR 2026 in London on Saturday, June 6. This head-to-head trial demonstrates that at week 16, bimekizumab (BKZ) yielded superior ACR50 results compared to risankizumab (RKB) adults with active psoriatic
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A Role for Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Lupus
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus, as their primary product, type I interferon, drive systemic lupus erythematosus and cutaneous lupus erythematosus. A recent comprehensive review synthesizes the available data on pDCs, and,
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Early GI Involvement Predictive of Scleroderma Outcomes
Rheumatology has published a cohort study showing that earlyGI symptoms and overall symptom burden predict both GI progression and mortality in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
FDA has approved a dosing update for burosumab-twza (Crysvita, Kyowa Kirin) to allow for increased dose and frequency when needed in adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). https://t.co/EPyp6tDsaf https://t.co/1HEaQRk9BR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ABA versus HCQ in Palindromic Rheumatism
Palindromic rheumatism may develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could be an at-risk population. A pilot trial compared abatacept (ABA) versus hydroxychloroquine and demonstrated ABA reduces RA development in a 2 year study. https://t.co/z0ptEYdhQj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Hydroxychloroquine: 5 mg/kg/day Is Only the Starting Point
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is one of the most important drugs in rheumatology, especially for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It reduces flares, organ damage, cardiovascular events, and pregnancy complications, and it improves survival. Yet many clinicians still prescribe HCQ as
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Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Following Uveitis
A Korean insurance claims data study showed children and adolescents diagnosed with uveitis have a 7-fold increased risk of developing an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder (IMID).
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Does Exercise and Lifestyle Modification Improve RA?
Does exercise or lifestyle modifications reduce the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or change those with early RA? A current review and meta-analysis found no studies addressing benefit in pre-clinical RA, but found evidence that exercise improves
Therapeutic Updates
Lupus Nephritis
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View our six video perspectives on lupus nephritis, including Management of CKD in Lupus Nephritis.
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Recent Blogs
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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