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Anti-Rheumatic Rx

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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Best of 2025: Vitamin D for Prevention of Disease

JAMA has published a clinical guideline on the use of vitamin D to prevent disease in children and adults.

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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.

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Best of 2025: Overview of the VEXAS Syndrome

A current systematic review in Rheumatology addresses the clinical features seen in the VEXAS syndrome.

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Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Lupus A large observational cohort study suggests that monitoring hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels is effective in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a target therapeutic range (for HCQ level monitoring) of https://t.co/7pggMk2pTO
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Telling You Where to Go (12.19.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. Who would've thunk - a PsA FMF connection? Labs to diagnose SSc-ILD? IgA-RF may be important or RZV may not work in JAK inhibitor treated patients?

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Disease Activity Criteria for Adult-Onset Still's Disease: EULAR Points to Consider

EULAR has published a "points to consider" (PtCs) guidance on the development of criteria for the assessment of the disease activity in adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD).

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ACR: New Data Highlights Urgent Need to Address Arthritis Burden

New findings from national U.S. surveys reveal the profound impact of arthritis on millions of adults, especially those facing social and economic challenges. These data will be featured in an upcoming issue of Arthritis Care & Research, an official journal of the American College of

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Role of the Nurse in the Care and Management of Rheumatic Diseases - EULAR Review

In 2023, a EULAR subcommittee set out to assess the roles of nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in the care of arthritis as outlined in published EULAR guidelines. The scope of APN practices was first proposed in 2012 and revised in 2018. EULAR updated its recommendations for the role

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In US, Tofacitinib loses patent exclusivity & goes generic in 2026. Worldwide Tofa sales in 2024 were $3.08 billion (55% use in RA; N. America 1st w/ ~38% of market). Tofa sales projected to rise to $5.7 bill in 2029 https://t.co/nKPaQdglYw https://t.co/DdMymmk8go
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Lupus

A large observational cohort study suggests that monitoring hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels is effective in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a target therapeutic range (for HCQ level monitoring) of 750-1150 ng/ml.

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Israeli retrospective study of 9736 colchicine Rx FMF pts matched w/ 97 360 controls. On F/U Psoriatic arthritis developed in more FMF pts (43 vs 119) - HR 3.52 (CI: 2.48, 5.0). ^Risk w/ older age, smoking, SES https://t.co/blDIsmHWPC

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British Society of Rheumatology Guideline for Monitoring DMARDs The British Society of Rheumatology has published an update to their previous 2017 BSR/BHPR guideline regarding the use and monitoring of DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) used to treat systemic https://t.co/iANvir1EFI
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GESPIC - German SpA study of 252 SpA (139 nr- axSpA, 113 r-axSpA), followed w/ serial Xrays and mSASS Scores over 2 yrs. 80% were on NSAIDs. Higher NSAID intake, particularly COX2i, on slowing radiographic progression in axSpA https://t.co/sKgCGaJFVr https://t.co/jMQTAnsCmG
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Roche announced that the European Commission has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro in EU/UK & Gazyva in US) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of adult patients with active Class III or IV, with or without concomitant Class V, lupus nephritis. https://t.co/usUidNVMNY
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Reefer Madness (12.12.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal and regulatory reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.  B cell drugs in SLE and ITP, biomarkers in GCA & PSS and great videos by APPs.

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The countdown is on! ⏱️ Drs. Jack Cush & Artie Kavanaugh are previewing what’s coming to RheumNow Live 2026 in Dallas (Feb 7–8) – and you don’t want FOMO on this one. ✅ Register now at https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR 🔥Early bird pricing ends December 15 – Get the inside scoop on https://t.co/K6kxX2oDtu
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Medical Cannabis for Pain Management

Recent research and publications have underscored the use, efficacy, safety and limitations to the use of cannabis for arthritis and pain patients.

Chronic pain affects more than one in five American adults, yet practitioners are limited in treatment alternatives. Even if we exclude the

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INITIAL Goal is to not miss Red Flag Conditions (Fx, septic or crystal arthritis [all acute monarticular})! Then provide timely Dx & Rx by establishing acute vs chronic, inflam vs noninflam, & articular vs nonarticular.

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British Society of Rheumatology Guideline for Monitoring DMARDs The British Society of Rheumatology has published an update to their previous 2017 BSR/BHPR guideline regarding the use and monitoring of DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) used to treat systemic https://t.co/7KNf6cIjfo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
I agree that multiple assessments are needed to Dx NP-SLE; but my order of preference (for Dx yield) is: A) Hx c/w cerebritis; B) imaging to r/o other causes; C) CSF IgG index w/ Q albumin

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B Cell Targeting in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

EurekAlert!

The New England Journal of Medicine  has published a phase III clinical trial showing that a B cell targeting monoclonal antibody, ianalumab, was effective in more than half of the patients with primary immune

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GESPIC - German SpA study of 252 SpA (139 nr- axSpA, 113 r-axSpA), followed w/ serial Xrays and mSASS Scores over 2 yrs. 80% were on NSAIDs. Higher NSAID intake, particularly COX2i, on slowing radiographic progression in axSpA https://t.co/MfmzWwvtZx https://t.co/5Fe2AQgkN2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

British Society of Rheumatology Guideline for Monitoring DMARDs

The British Society of Rheumatology has published an update to their previous 2017 BSR/BHPR guideline regarding the use and monitoring of DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) used to treat systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). 

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