Lupus

Article

Ode to Our Editor: Honoring Dr. Jack Cush

Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH Artie Kavanaugh, MD Nov 06, 2026

For someone who has spent so much of his career recognizing the work of others, it is fitting that Dr. John J. “Jack” Cush should have his own moment in the spotlight.

Pregnancy in Lupus Nephritis and RA: Managing risks and treating to target A significant proportion of patients with rheumatologic disease are of reproductive age, therefore, navigating reproductive health is now widely recognized as a fundamental component of modern https://t.co/cTVvyXBbug

Article

Pregnancy in Lupus Nephritis and RA: Managing risks and treating to target

Sheila Reyes, MD Nov 03, 2026

A significant proportion of patients with rheumatologic disease are of reproductive age, therefore, navigating reproductive health is now widely recognized as a fundamental component of modern rheumatology care.

Lupus/LN should not be a sole indication for a C-section C-section should be reserved for obstetric indications. Adapt a multidisciplinary approach. @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/vrXeNP9xLI

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There is physiologic proteinuria in pregnancy so be careful before attributing a rise of levels to active LN LN flare vs. pre-eclampsia: both can present w/ HTN, edema, low plts and inc crea. > monitor C3 changes during each trimester of pregnancy @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/Pp6GGeLPC6

Does IVIG have a Role in Scleroderma? A recent systemic review and meta-analysis by Jozelio Freire de Carvalho and colleagues analyzed the available literature on this therapy. This study, published in Frontiers in Immunology in October 2026, evaluated the available evidence https://t.co/a8J2UT2I7Y

Long term F/U of 80 systemic sclerosis pts Rx w/ autologous HSCT. W/ Med. 9.2 yrs F/U progression-free survival = 81%, 72% @5 yrs, & 60% @10 yrs. 18 pts died; death due to HSCT in 6%, SSc progression in 11%, CA in 2 (3%), serious infx 2 (3%), 34 (43%) maintained remission without https://t.co/l6RUf2Zqyw

Japanese retrospective cohort systemic sclerosis study shows adjunctive tofacitinib improved ower esophageal sphincter pressures (LESP). 50 SSc pts w/ esophageal Sxs Rx w/ Tofa or PBO x 24 wks. Tofa assoc w/ signif LESP increases & lower mRSS & IL-6 levels https://t.co/NNREBddiOi https://t.co/p6VujI8HWA

Tofacitinib and esophageal-related manifestations in systemic sclerosis: a retr…

Prof. AHoi presented their study on ESR as potential source of risk info in SLE 48% discordance bet ESR & conv. serology Isolated ⬆️ESR levels showed ⬆️ assoc with dse activity and flare; risk increases further if combi ⬆️ESR+low c3/4+antidsDNA @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/BvC0OZFjd5

Menopause Hormone Therapy Tied to Small Autoimmune Disease Risk Estrogen-only menopausal hormone therapy was associated with a slightly higher incidence of autoimmune disease compared with estrogen-progestogen therapy, a retrospective cohort study suggested. https://t.co/kV4Y7tvpC8

Case quiz: 38F fever, tetraparesis, hallucinations, slurred speech. Low C3, ANA 1:100, WBC 26,320, normal CSF/Ca/PTH. CT: basal ganglia calcification. Dx? Answer: SLE with Fahr syndrome (focal NPSLE) plus urosepsis. Keep infection in rheum Ddx. P#325 #APLAR26 @RheumNow https://t.co/Gsb8dquwHL

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JAMA Uveitis review: Uveitis peaks at 20–50 yrs; 41–60% is anterior. ~40 linked to systemic disease (HLA-B27=axSpA). 1st exclude infection (TB, toxo, herpes). Anterior UV: topical steroids. Posterior/pan UV: DMARDs first (MTX remission 52%, MMF 71%); adalimumab if refractory https://t.co/xTlr5lrwUz

Optimizing GC use in SLE: In arthritis, avoid oral GC - consider NSAIDS, csDMARDs, small molecules or biologics On GC initiation, hit hard w/pulse MP then taper early and rapidly In LN, treat aggressively bec damage is driven by dse activity, not meds @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/Q5gFpr8P9k

Dr. Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow. This week on the podcast: hopeful guidelines for PMR; certainty about good & bad beverages in gout; mixed results in Sjogren's; non-lupus drugs saves lupus lives; and big hips sink ships in psoriatic https://t.co/TPqPKP5MRl

Advances and Challenges in Lupus Care: Insights from RheumNow Survey Findings Listen to leading rheumatology and dermatology experts for an engaging discussion on the evolving landscape of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). https://t.co/lJOzeR81AS

The Efficacy of Ianalumab in Sjögren’s Disease The NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 trials have showed that monthly ianalumab is superior of placebo at improving Sjögren’s disease activity at week 48, even though there was no significant ESSDAI response or in the change in SSSD or https://t.co/YStzIFq5Bx

Patients with type 2 SLE present with fatigue, pain, brain fog and mood changes. Type 1 & 2 often coexist but type 2 SLE impacts QOL. @RheumNow #lupus #APLAR2026 https://t.co/aMtoIprPWG

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“Complex to manage” in SLE not for biologics APLAR Seoul 2026 Nikpour #SLE #RheumNow https://t.co/4qeRGEVijs

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why biologics for “refractory”only - a life on steroids HCO MMF etc? APLAR Seoul 2026 Nikpour #SLE #RheumNow https://t.co/Fa58nsF5Mk

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Prof. Sandra Navarra on GCs in #lupus : “There is NO safe threshold for Prednisone” Pred use follows a linear risk: As the dose of prednisone increases, damage risk doubles - - - > higher cataract, fracture and CV risks! @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/8GGrwkcd8Q

evidence T2T in SLE is wortwhile APLAR Seoul 2026 Nikpour #SLE #RheumNow

Saag Osteoporosis - what to do when stopping Denosumab ? APLAR Seoul 2026 Nikpour #SLE #RheumNow https://t.co/skeONgWUpH

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Schett - in remission : 14 normal pregnancies no SLE recurrence , babies normal b cells APLAR Seoul 2026 #CART #RheumNow

Cutaneous #lupus are classified into: acute, subacute and chronic. Acute CLE is highly assoc’d w/ photosensitivity, +ANA and systemic involvement. Chronic CLE develops scarring and pigmentation CLE is an initial manifestation of SLE in 25% of pts @RheumNow #APLAR2026 https://t.co/4GdyUuqlzH