Novartis & BMS CAR-T Cell Trials on Hold
Reuters and the Wall Street Journal report that both Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) have paused their autoimmune disease CAR-
Read Article
Rheum Survey> What effect does obesity have on #Lupus pts?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Metanalysis looked at neutrophil to Lymph ration (NLR) in SLE - 31 studies, 4,006 SLE pts. NLR signif incr in SLE worldwide. NLR was higher in Active vs inactive SLE, and showed a significant but moderate correlation w/ SLEDAI (CC=0.354, p < 0.001). https://t.co/ROG5L4nfo2 https://t.co/9mqqId45lG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Sleep and Obesity: A Bidirectional Relationship
In July 2026, JAMA concisely reviewed the bidirectional relationship between sleep health and obesity. Obesity affects roughly 40% of US adults and sleep problems affect nearly one-third. This review outlines the biological mechanisms and clinical interventions relevant to weight management.
Read Article
Rheums! Do you have a Rheumatology question or case for Dr. Cush? Record it here, and we may feature it on an upcoming podcast. Tell us your name and where you practice rheumatology.
https://t.co/LZ59KW8HdA https://t.co/DwHdvpTYax
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
True or False: Compared to adult systemic sclerosis, juvenile systemic sclerosis is more commonly associated with diffuse cutaneous disease and renal crisis.
Test your knowledge in this week's RheumIQ at https://t.co/TBlB4pmnKa. https://t.co/q4wlnCQsny
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Resolved HBV infx (HBsAg-neg/anti-HBc+) retrospective study of HBc seroclearance in 230 pts Rx w/ anti-CD20 mAb. anti-HBc seroclearance seen in 16.5% (assoc w/ Younger age, less CD20 Rx, MMF Rx). HBV reactivation seen 5/230 (2.2%), including two w/ HBc seroclearance. HBc https://t.co/T0gfxftOgu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) will konor John Stamos with the Bob Saget Legacy Award at this year's "Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine" ceremony that will take place Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles. Proceeds will support the SRF https://t.co/VHIpBJrXd4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Age-specific Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Epidemiologic estimates on SLE diagnosis are limited. The CDC National Lupus Registry network of population-based SLE registries has assessed and reported age-specific incidence of SLE by sex, race, and ethnicity. https://t.co/g5A7DMQIyp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Aortic inflammation (Aortopathies) occurs in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) including Takayasus, #GCA, SLE, RA, AS, SSc, relapsing polychondritis, Cogan’s syndr, Behçet’s, & IgG4-related disease). Dx imaging options: CTA, MRI, & PET/CT. Underlying path may be granulomatous, https://t.co/lKBhEnTcKB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
39 studies compared Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) & adult SSc. 935 jSSc vs 15,451 aSSc pts; jSSc had more diffuse cutaneous dz (70% vs 41%), more overlap myositis (33% vs. 5%), arthritis (33% vs 18%), digital ulcers (51% vs 20%), less renal crisis (0% vs 6%) & lower https://t.co/vflarmwSyv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Age-specific Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Epidemiologic estimates on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis are limited. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Lupus Registry network of population-based SLE registries has assessed and reported age-specific incidence of SLE
402 RA pts w. symptomatic Extra-articular manifestations (eg, neuropathy, KCS) had significant impairment in quality of life and work productivity, independent of disease activity. They had lower HAQ (0.92 vs 0.68) & more Absenteeism https://t.co/1FH9gyxoxK https://t.co/faToGXpdSQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity
This review article addresses the recognition, prevention and management of glucocorticoid toxicity in rheumatic patients.
Read Article
e-cigarette use assoc w/ a 1.5-fold incr risk of RA & SLE. All of Us Research prg matched 15,909 e-cig users vs nonusers. 66 new RA or SLE among current e-cig (IR 1.43/1,000PYs) vs nonusers (0.93/1,000PYs; IRR 1.54); applies to past or current smokers https://t.co/xYRezwQFYC https://t.co/pnNANfui4Y
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
VA study of 4108 RA-ILD (2006-21). PRED use was 65-77%, A& 1st line Rx (MMF, AZA, RTX, CTX) incr after ILD, use was low (1.2-12%). MTX decr (47 to 30%), but LEF, TNFi, ABA incr. Predictors of ILD Rx: FVC, CCP+, ILD Dx after 2012. https://t.co/GT3Vwo11w1 https://t.co/KFDKsjkN0k
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SLE & Dermatomyositis rashes maybe classically red or violaceous in Whites,but different in people of color, where erythema often appears brown/violaceous, Gottron papules can be mistaken for "dry skin." This delays dx, especially in anti-MDA5+ RP-ILD, where rash may be the https://t.co/DIe2OJhZIc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheum Scholarship (8.21.2026)
Dr. Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com; talking about lumbar belts, scholarships and misdiagnosis.
Read Article
Childhood vs Adult onset SLE? Retro Australian Lupus Registry study of 519 SLE pts (68/13% w/ cSLE) found childhood onset had signif more damage (SDI≥1 53 vs 40%; renal Dz 62 vs 37%), more Dz activity, less LLDAS-50 (36% vs 51%) https://t.co/ttBRtSVl5n https://t.co/hoN1t16Za3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Systematic review of targeted Rx for lupus nephritis during pregnancy (2000-25). HCQ & AZA are cornerstone good Rx. Acceptable: tacrolimus, ASA. MMF is TERATOGENIC-AVOID! Not Enuf data; Voclosporin, obinutuzumab, Anifrolumab https://t.co/otO9nMHHuO https://t.co/1hLysZLJnG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheum Survey >> What therapy do you most commonly use to treat Sjogrens disease? Answer here: https://t.co/XJEsqoSlbn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs; AKA multimorbidity) is highly prevalent in AIRDs; complicates Rx & increases adverse outcomes & all-cause mortality. MMCs 86% in RA, 81.5% in SLE, w/ a notable patterns of cardiopulmonary and mental health disorders https://t.co/AOWCsEodXR https://t.co/NyAR0TUQkE
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SLE & Dermatomyositis rashes maybe classically red or violaceous in Whites,but different in people of color, where erythema often appears brown/violaceous, Gottron papules can be mistaken for "dry skin." This delays dx, especially in anti-MDA5+ RP-ILD, where rash may be the https://t.co/Savx5IOTcG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheum Survey >> What therapy do you most commonly use to treat Sjogrens disease? Answer here: https://t.co/XJEsqoSlbn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
3 SLE pts w/ Bx class III/IV LN had Lg proteinuria flares (4.6–13.4 g/d) despite MMF plus belimumab & were given voclosporin (+MMF) w/ rapid, sustained proteinuria reduced (≤0.7 g/day w/in 9–12 mos) & stable/improved eGFR, & GC tapering. Creat increases Rx w/ dose adjustments https://t.co/38lcD8DPgn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Therapeutic Updates
Expert insights on the 2024 ACR Guideline recommendations for lupus nephritis
Sponsored by Aurinia
Two experts in lupus care offer a balanced perspective on applying the updated ACR Guideline recommendations and the clinical nuances of managing lupus nephritis.
Read Post
Recent Blogs
Dr. Cush provides a systematic approach to evaluating musculoskeletal and rheumatic complaints in clinical practice.
Read Article
Podcasts
Day 4 Recap EULAR 2026
EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 2c-
EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 1a
