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Novel Rx

Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study showing the efficacy of dazodalibep in Sjögren's dz, w/ signif ESSDAI improvements at wek 48. DAZO is a CD40L antagonist fusion protein https://t.co/5QPBdZivxC https://t.co/VfV873Lire
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

The GLP-1 Opportunity Cost in Rheumatology

There is no doubt it is an incredibly exciting time to be tackling obesity-related diseases, like many rheumatic diseases appear to be, to some extent. However, deep down, a part of us must dread adding yet another conversation to a crowded consultation. One of two things has to happen: we

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BMJ reports TriNetX EHR study showing GLP-1 RA use in knee OA pts was assoc w/ significantly lower cumulative TKA incidence (p<0.001).  1 year any GLP-1 RA (HR 0.90) or 3 yrs exposure (HR 0.72) signif lowered TKA 8 yrs later https://t.co/RGQJJHgLFv https://t.co/BoSgFoOyNN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

The weight is off, the DMARDs are off - now what?

That promised land of substantive weight loss comes within it the illusion of better disease control and, for inflammatory arthritis patients, the possibility of reducing the burden of regular medicines - often driven by the patient, with or without telling you. It is a dream worth aspiring to

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Long-term F/U of T2T Artic trial. 230 DMARD naive pts, 84% ACPA+ 179 (82%) in 10 yr F/U & 82% were in DAS < 1.6 remission 10 yrs later w/ only 17% w/ Xray progression. ~50% on csDMARDs, 30% on bDMARDs. Early aggressive works! https://t.co/ASRrIZqfS5 https://t.co/SykEI4QjPa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Bringing TOGETHER-PsA Into Clinical Practice

When Ms. RS came into my clinic for a new patient evaluation, she was suffering from highly active skin disease, joint swelling, pain and poor mobility. Her body mass index was 46, indicating class III obesity. A treatment plan focused solely on her inflammatory disease without addressing her

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FDA has approved baricitinib (Olumiant) for the treatment of pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with severe alopecia areata https://t.co/OTXXQvNruw https://t.co/xrg5ocWyjo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Prescribing New GLP-1-Based Therapies https://t.co/cpxyxBMZ8s https://t.co/yV8Jvkh2sk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheum Survey: Beyond weight loss, How will GLP-1 drugs benefit rheumatic pts?

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study evaluating dazodalibep (CD40L antagonist fusion protein) in adult Sjögren's dz w/ positive ESSDAI results at wk 48 https://t.co/hBKIdOE9aR https://t.co/y3tXp5xwgC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

VA/DoD 2025 Obesity Guidelines

Annals of Internal Medicine has published the updated 2025 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines on adult Overweight and Obesity management. Here is a review of the guidelines, including five key takeaways for rheumatologists.

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Estimated > 7million Americans (~1/3 US GLP1 Rxs) get GLP-1 drugs from online compounding source- but these are not FDA approved. They maybe cheaper, but dosing/quality is suspect. FDA needs to close the 503B loophole to outlaw these copycat Rxs https://t.co/Xu7MeP0Ytt https://t.co/nYGr3auqzx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retrospective review of 33 referred pts w/ Recurrent fever w/ MSK & skin Sxs, assessed by NGS. NLRP1 had FMF-like Dz; NLRP recurrent fevers w/ mucocutaneous; NLRP12 periodic fevers w/ MP/EN rash; NLRC4 episodic systemic inflammation GI Sxs & atypical skin rash https://t.co/IWafJVFoaJ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
It’s almost time. 🔥 Registration for RheumNow Live 2027 opens OCTOBER 1. Two days of practical, engaging rheumatology education designed to challenge how you think and influence how you practice. 📅 Jan 30–31, 2027 📍 Dallas + Online https://t.co/Ju0zzYX8Tl
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Prescribing New GLP-1-Based Therapies https://t.co/cpxyxBMZ8s https://t.co/9JXmlW2Lj6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Gabapentin Use Rose as Restrictions Fell, Study Shows

MedPage Today

Gabapentin use jumped quickly in Michigan after the drug was removed from the state's controlled substance schedule in 2024, a cross-sectional study showed.

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Obesity and Psoriatic Disease

Mason Arbabi, MD and Juliana S. Simonetti, MD

Obesity is a clinically important comorbidity in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Excess adiposity contributes to systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic risk and may adversely affect disease severity and response to some systemic therapies. Intentional weight loss should be considered an

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FORWARD is a Phase 4, OL trial in 51 refractory uncontrolled gout pts Rx w/ MTX plus higher doses pegloticase (16 or 30mg) IV q4wk. At 24-wk Responses similar 68% or 73%. ~31% of responders later had SUA >6. Confusing anti-Drug Ab results in this trial?? https://t.co/udjE7sXDm5 https://t.co/F8VGDAyJzb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Steroid Delusions in Giant Cell Arteritis

A real world analysis of drug use in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients shows that despite intending to taper patients off glucocorticoids (GC) by 24 months, 75% remained on GCs for ≥ 48 months.

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Single center, DBRPCT of tofacitinib 11 mg/d vs PBO in 100 knee OA pts (KL Gr 1-2); At wk 12 there was NO significant differences betw groups in VAS Pain, or other outcomes-WOMAC, Oxford Knee Score, EQ-5D-5L, analgesic use https://t.co/VDtgY7hTm4 https://t.co/PveouQbI8r
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Observational study of 63,215 neuropsychiatric (NP) pts showed semaglutide signif lowered NP events over 2yrs (vs metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhib);unrelaed to wt loss. Less substance, mood anxiety, CNS atrophies, neuromuscular, eating/sleep & personality/impulse-control https://t.co/tbuvLRK3QE
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Lifestyle and Incretin Therapy Advice for Rheumatologists

As GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists become standard co-management tools for obese patients with RA, PsA, axSpA, and gout, this JAMA Insights perspective by Kushner, et al. reframes lifestyle counseling as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy - a reversal of the traditional model. This has with direct

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Added IVIG is Effective in Myositis A small randomized controlled trial demonstrates that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) added to cortocosteroids lead to greater and faster improvements in patients with newly diagnosed IIMs. https://t.co/XLrvLSoOic https://t.co/xhjPBXLxiC
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Chinese 52 wk study of XKH004, a novel, SC, humanized anti-17A/F in 323 active AS pts Rx q4 wks vs PBO. @ Wk 16, XKH004 was superior for ASAS40 (45.4% vs 19.4%; P<0.001), improved to 66% by wk 52. https://t.co/f7w41m4QZy https://t.co/LELo52zUb7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Join us for Tuesday Nite Rheumatology on September 22 for: Obesity Treatment & Safety Experts will tackle: • GLP-1/GIP therapies • Lifestyle & bariatric interventions • Treatment selection & safety • Cost & compounding concerns • Sarcopenia & bone health • The future of https://t.co/BCSOUot5FL
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