Skip to main content

COVID-19

Korean retrospective cohort study betw 4/20-11/22 shows COVID infx assoc w/ increased risk of autoimmune disease; BUT 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine was assoc w/ decrease risk of pemphigoid, Graves, APL syndrome, ITP, SLE, autoimmune arthritis https://t.co/vzBEcalUL9 https://t.co/P4yWSvjTJL
The EMA has approved an anti-IL-6/tocilizumab biosimilar, manufactured by Fresenius-Kabi, and called Tyenne. This is the 1st TCZ biosimilar, indicated for use in RA, Systemic JIA, poly-JIA, GCA, COVID-19 and CAR-T cell-induced cytokine release syndrome https://t.co/KGhOqmmjWe https://t.co/VGwNRSI0ls

RheumNow Podcast – with Special Guest Dr. Peter Nash (9.15.2023)

Sep 15, 2023

This week, Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news with special guest, Dr. Peter Nash. They discuss COVID Autoantibodies, SpA life expectancy, HCQ, extraarticular RA and our approach to Early RA referrals and pre-clinical RA.

Read Article
Study of 159 COVID pts vs 73 controls shows AutoAbs increase w/ age, but it worse with SARS-CoV-2 infection, esp. severe COVID; who were more likely to develop anticardiolipin & anti-platelet glycoprotein AutoAbs that complicate COVID with thromboses. https://t.co/uFMVTWvzC3 . https://t.co/Iyla56jN2A
Retro cohort study finds COVID may incr risk of autoimmunity & risk is decr by Vax. Found Incr rates of SpA(1.32), RA (1.29), PsO(1.42), Graves' (1.30), APL (2.12), ITP (2.1), MS (2.66), vasculitis (1.46). Vax decr pemphigoid, Graves, APL, ITP, SLE https://t.co/0WzSTlowcR https://t.co/u0tWXhIfGE
Retro cohort study finds COVID may incr risk of autoimmunity & risk is decr by Vax. Found Incr rates of SpA(1.32), RA (1.29), PsO(1.42), Graves' (1.30), APL (2.12), ITP (2.1), MS (2.66), vasculitis (1.46). Vax decr pemphigoid, Graves, APL, ITP, SLE https://t.co/Ln3NN6RfmZ https://t.co/VH3cia4AXr

Pizza and Rheumatoid Arthritis (8.11.2023)

Aug 11, 2023

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the wonderful wide world of Rheumatology. This week:




  1. Swedish study of 325 #AAV pts saw CVA in 35 pts (8%); CVA incidence=11.3/1000 PYs - this was higher than gen population [SIR 1.85). AAV CVA risk factors included age

Read Article

Patient Perspectives on Telemedicine Use During the Pandemic

Aug 08, 2023

Research from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance included surveys and data gathering from rheumatology patients. During the pandemic era there was rapid adoption of telemedicine by rheumatologists; and a recent study of patient perspectives shows that most found telemedicine to be at

Read Article
While COVID rates are near historic lows & far less dangerous, hospitalizations are up 10.3%, ER visits up 7%, pos. tests rose to 6.3% from 5.8% in the last week https://t.co/TFAt4p24au

Hold the Methotrexate for One Week

Jul 18, 2023

In 2018, Park et al showed optimal responses to influenza vaccination in RA patients was best achieved by holding methotrexate for 2 weeks following immunization, with improved humoral responses. Now, a followup trial suggests that equivalent results are had by holding MTX for only 1 week with

Read Article
RA Biologics Lower COVID-19 Deaths, but Not Recovery Time Do abatacept, cenicriviroc, or infliximab improve time to recovery for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia compared with standard care? https://t.co/o56m9WumiC. https://t.co/GHe1RprDnk

RA Biologics Lower COVID-19 Deaths, but Not Recovery Time

Jul 11, 2023

Do abatacept, cenicriviroc, or infliximab improve time to recovery for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia compared with standard care?



Findings  A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled master protocol clinical trial found that treatment with abatacept ABA),

Read Article
An RCT of 1136 newly COVID test positive pts compared long term outcomes if immediately given METFORMIN or Placebo. Cumulative incidence of long COVID at day 300 was 6.3% w/ metformin vs 10.4% w/ placebo (HR 0.59; HR 037 if given w/in 3d) https://t.co/aCTX7xFewW https://t.co/xbBeED9K7U

What is Colchicine Worth? (6.23.2023)

Jun 22, 2023

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week a new colchicine FDA approval, rising rate of IgG4 related disease and what's the safest biologic?




  1. An RCT of 1136 newly COVID test positive pts compared long term outcomes if immediately

Read Article
Factors associated with higher prevalence of post COVID-19 condition include female sex, age, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, number of symptoms in the acute phase and possible mechanisms causing the syndrome, Mayssam Nehme, COVID-19, #EULAR2023 https://t.co/IzHEQqfPb1
Reflections on COVID-19 and autoimmunity: post-vaccination autoimmunity is not specific to COVID-19, autoimmunity is not autoimmune disease, the large numbers may result in the perception of increased occurrence of autoimmunity, Schulze-Koops H, COVID-19, #EULAR2023 @RheumNow https://t.co/Rm9OEWrBzo
Factors related to having a flare of arthritis during COVID-19 include female gender, higher disease activity, no DMARD at time of vaccination. Stopping DMARDs need to be weighed up against risk of flares, Pedro Machado, COVID-19 #EULAR2023 @RheumNow https://t.co/3sd32tF2kW

Allergic Drug-Induced Arthritis (5.19.2023)

May 19, 2023

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.  This week we delve into some odd associations, repeat drug warnings and the consequences of antirheumatic therapies.




  1. Subanalysis of the tofacitinib ORAL Surveillance study shows the JAK

Read Article
Lit review of 2236 articles found only 28 w/ Post-COVID autoimmune Dx (64% F; age 51 yrs) - that included 11 (39) IIM (w/ 4 DM); 7 (25%) SLE; 4 (14%) anti-synthetase syndrome; 4 (14%) SSc; 1 lupus/MCTD overlap. Mean onset 23.7 d post COVID https://t.co/jtRaqIBGH1 https://t.co/WilcRFNAL9

One in Ten is Bad! (5.12.2023)

May 12, 2023

This week on the Podcast Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles, including the risks of dying, developing RA or autoimmune disease!

Read Article

2022 EULAR Recommendations on Screening and Prophylaxis for Opportunistic Infections

May 11, 2023

Opportunistic and chronic infections may be rare and are often difficult to diagnose, especially in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD), that may be immunocompromised. A EULAR task force has established recommendations for screening and prophylaxis against OI. 

Read Article
in 2022 COVID slid from the #3 to the #4 cause of death in USA, accounting for nearly a quarter million deaths, a 47 percent decrease from the 462,193 Covid-related deaths in 2021. Most COVID deaths occured in the first few mos of 2022 https://t.co/qervCp0P87 https://t.co/WN7DvsFhNC
COVID had a significant effect on mental health of inflammatory rheumatic Dz (IRDs) pts. UK NHS survey of 639 IRD (70% RA, 16% PsA) saw 40% w/ mod/severe pandemic impact on physical & mental health; 29% w/ depression, 22% anxiety; affecting Women>males https://t.co/kcAwa2Lks2 https://t.co/R6tk2aOrGQ
Industry Payments to Rheums Dropped During COVID Having their clinics shut down and patients staying away during the COVID-19 pandemic was bad enough for physicians' finances, but now a new study finds that payments from industry dried up as well. https://t.co/jsxw23tTyY https://t.co/5PiaRpiSa4

Anakinra Phase 2/3 study in severe hosp. COVID-19 pts (5/20-3/21) w/ pneumonia & hyperinflammation (incr levels IL-6, ferritin, CRP, LDH). 179 pt Rx w/ ANA or SOC - d15 need for Mech ventilation was 77% ANAK v 86% SoC (NS; RR 0.90; 0.77-1.04) https://t.co/CFcI1qTsU2 https://t.co/wAj4pHN5Dh

×