Cardio/Pulmonary

Increased Mortality In Arthritis Patients with COPD A new study published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, finds that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease… https://t.co/6WCtfcrSaq https://t.co/ydVtBxqy37
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retrospective review of 781#RA pts; 78 Dx w/ILD (77 subclinical, most UIP on HRCT). w/ mean 10 yrs F/U, death rate was 1.5 vs. 7.1 per 100PY (without v with ILD) SMR equal betw RA & gen pop. but 2x higher in RA w/ ILD. Mortality higher w/ ILD (HR~3), age and low BMI… https://t.co/Vj0acewmK8 https://t.co/N1wHTjMfTr
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Still's Dz Afro-Caribbean study of 58 pts (57% AOSD). Sex differed betw kids F 36% vs F71% in adults. Kids had signif more typical skin rashes (100 vs 29%), coronary artery dilation (16 vs 0%), & MAS (52 vs 9%). Adults signif more polyarthalgia (91 vs 32%) & lung dz (51 vs 4%).… https://t.co/AYKNazgio5 https://t.co/1yQgeMiwku
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2024.year.review

2024 Rheumatology Year in Review

Jack Cush, MD

2024 was a year of surprising new growth in technology, with the expansion of new therapeutic options for many patients and clinicians.  While these many advances offer new hope, they are countered by disappointments and gapping unmet needs in rheumatology. Below is my top 10 list

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Cardiovascular and Fracture Risk with Denosumab Versus Bisphosphonates in Dialysis Patients

Jack Cush, MD

Annals of Internal Medicine has published a  Japanese administrative claims database study showing that, compared with oral bisphosphonates (BIS), denosumab (DEN) lowered fracture risk by 45%, but increased the risk for major adverse
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Lungs ILD

Increased Mortality In Arthritis Patients with COPD

EurekAlert!

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis have a higher risk of death than people with arthritis who do not have COPD, according to a new study. The study is published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD

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MMWR: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Mortality in the United States Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and worsening lung function, has a poor prognosis. An estimated 21% of IPF deaths might be attributable to occupational… https://t.co/FQpotKrgzR https://t.co/hruzwcD1E6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
A Review of Relapsing Polychondritis A current review in the Journal of Thoracic Disease on relapsing polychondritis (RP), suggests that while this rare disorder may have an uncertain pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutical management has improved.… https://t.co/keacvqjlU7 https://t.co/TkYwNnYtxF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Hydroxychloro-King (3.7.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory actions from the past week on RheumNow.com

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MMWR: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Mortality in the United States

MMWR

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and worsening lung function, has a poor prognosis. An estimated 21% of IPF deaths might be attributable to occupational exposures.

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FDA grants priority reviews to: - Nicalizumab (J&J; FcRn antibody) for use in Myasthenia gravis. - Upadacitinib (AbbVie; JAK inhib) for use in GCA - Namistat (BI: PDE4B inhib) for use in Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - Inalizumab (Hansen; anti-CD19) for use in IG4 rel Dz -… https://t.co/dsg9vZASrk https://t.co/8t2USASmm8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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A Review of Relapsing Polychondritis

Jack Cush, MD

A current review in the Journal of Thoracic Disease on relapsing polychondritis (RP), suggests that while this rare disorder may have an uncertain pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapeutical management has improved.

This review focuses on key features, with damage to

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Recurrent Pericarditis in Lupus A study from the Lupus Hopkins Cohort shows that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pericarditis are at risk for recurrence, and likely to be younger patients, with uncontrolled disease, and linkage to higher doses of oral… https://t.co/hML8NfhBy3 https://t.co/cKX5KaSg3a
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
UK MRCP exam makeup: Cardio 15% Pharm 15% Resp 10% GI 10% Neuro 10% ID 8% Endo 8% RHEUM 6% Heme 5% Renal 5% Derm 4% Eye 2% Psych 2% https://t.co/WG7X3B8a0Y https://t.co/9VF5LkLJjs

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Insomnia.Sleep.bed.night

Loss of Good Sleep Linked to All-Cause Mortality

Jack Cush, MD

A US study shows that nearly two-thirds of the population had suboptimal 5-year sleep duration trajectories with a resultant 29% increase in risk of all-cause mortality.

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CV.CP_.Heart_.pericarditis

Recurrent Pericarditis in Lupus

Jack Cush, MD

A study from the Lupus Hopkins Cohort shows that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pericarditis are at risk for recurrence, and likely to be younger patients, with uncontrolled disease, and linkage to higher doses of oral prednisone.

This

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National Statistics analysis (2020-22)of 3.6 million US workers shows MDs & HCP had lower age/sex adjusted mortality rates vs non-HCPs. In nonHCPs, mortality is lower in females (HR 0.55), but in MD/HCP females its equal (HR 0.97; more CA +respt) & MD/HCP Black higher than whites… https://t.co/gmPJEN4xs0 https://t.co/7QpTZko8GP
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Risk Prediction Modeling in MDA5 Dermatomyositis Patients with Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) positive dermatomyositis (DM) are complicated and prone to interstitial lung disease, poor prognosis, and a high mortality. A new study suggests a risk prediction… https://t.co/v20ZCVZUQE https://t.co/GmWWQDpWUU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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B Cell Depleters (2.21.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

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Japanese study of 781 RA pts (78 dx w/ ILD; most UIP pattern). Mortality higher in RA-ILD (SMR 2.09) vs RA (1.16) vs gen population. Mortality increased w/ ILD (adj HR 2.97), advanced age (1.08/per yr) , and low BMI (3.07) https://t.co/EYKfHotZPr https://t.co/xC6E0OLfFs

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SLE pts have increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Systemic inflammation & glucocorticoid exposure are significant drivers of ASCVD in SLE. Screening recommended - Framingham Risk Score, ACC/AHA risk score & others reviewed https://t.co/jJHNJOU606 https://t.co/JJxiBczMwi

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Prevalence of Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) was 49.8% - Chinese study of 223 SSc (F/U 8.1 yrs). Among SSc-ILD, 64% had progressive disease w/ elevated CRP at Dx as predictor. Overall mortality rate = 24.2% (pneumonia) w/ predictors of age,… https://t.co/Lb98KziPOj

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

8 fold risk of incident ILD in #RA pts. Data from Korean National Health Insurance, 52,325 RA pts & 261,625 controls & 4.4 yrs F/U - ILD in 3.7% of RA vs 0.5% controls (adjHR 7.84); higher in seropositive RA (aHR= 9) vs seronegative RA (aHR=4.8) https://t.co/iIoZOwFYEN https://t.co/HBzSg9KrpZ

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TheDaoIndex @KDAO2011 A practical clinic-based approach to assessing CVD, CA screening, lung disease, infections for rheums by Dr Bryant England who offers us menus.. start by asking about symptoms. #RNL2025 https://t.co/AcQDJS870I https://t.co/UCyDOF2GRZ

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That's not my problem - or is it? Multimorbidity in RA

Eric Dein, MD

Traditionally, rheumatologists have often been deferential to the non-articular concerns in RA to other providers, though these issues are often left unaddressed. What role do rheumatologists have in the management of multimorbidity in our patients?

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Recent Blogs

Overlap Syndrome with ILD

Jack Cush, MD
Cush RheumThought ILD

How would you manage a patient with Overlap (anti-synthetase) syndrome, ILD, polyarthritis and myositis?

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Best of 2023: New ACR RA-ILD Treatment Guidelines – What Were They Smoking!?

Richard Conway, MBBChBAO, PhD
Lungs ILD
Rheumatoid arthritis related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is common, with symptomatic RA-ILD affecting approximately 8% of RA patients. There is a very limited evidence base supporting treatment and therefore the recent release of ACR guidelines is to be welcomed. However, the published guidelines appear discordant with the best available evidence base.  Read Post
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