Dermatology

JAK Janus

Equal Safety of JAK Inhibitors and TNF Inhibitors

Jack Cush, MD

JAMA has published a systematic review and meta-analysis of head-to-head studies showing there was no meaningful difference in safety events observed when taking either JAK inhibitor (JAKi) vs TNF antagonist (TNFi) therapies for the treatment of immune-

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Cross-sectional study of 320 dermatomyositis (198 classic DM, 122 amyopathic DM/CADM) & compared myositis panels for ANA, MSA, MAA, etc. Comparing CDM vs CADM - ANA pos in 63% vs 49%, p<0.05; MSA+ 47% vs 40% (NS); MAA+ 29% vs 26%(NS); MSA&MAA neg 40% vs 48% (NS)

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RheumNow Podcast – Ro, Ro, Ro52 (9.12.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Are there benefits to diet or vegan diets? What's the effect of menopause on CTD?  Ro52 makes a big entrance with all our ILD coverage this month.

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Global prevalence of Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is 0.99%, but varies globally between 0.67% and 1.46%. HS is assoc w/ female sex. Based on a meta-analysis 22 743 participants, identifying 247 HS pts. https://t.co/TtKdfKiIn3 https://t.co/zOIVUlF5E8

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New #therapy in #SLE #lupus https://t.co/TPeKxfw9hq

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What Is Lyme Disease? JAMA Patient education handout. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in the US. A bite from infected Ixodes scapularis ticks can transmit the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. https://t.co/a8eMdAy0bi https://t.co/Jrj4Eiuy24

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Metanalysis shows patients w/ psoriasis have signif. higher risk (2-2.5 fold) of metabolic syndrome compared to the general population, RA or spondylitis patients. Comparing PsO to PsA there is no difference (PsA also has a high riskof MetS). https://t.co/gO3IomfP53 https://t.co/Ov2UHV2mN6

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AbbVie announces positive topline results from a 2nd Phase 3 UP-AA Trial evaluating Upadacitinib in Alopecia Areata (AA) - w/ 45% and 55% of severe AA pts rx w/ UPA 15 mg and 30 mg, achieving a SALT score ≤ 201 (80% or more scalp hair coverage) at week 24 https://t.co/8p1FvJx0s0
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ChildCAPTURE & BioCAPTURE registry studies of 117 pediatric & 243 young adult Psoriasis pts on biologics (753.4 Pt-Yrs) shows no sex differences in clinical responses, but shows females have more adverse events than males (both cohorts) https://t.co/5at9vCqwIO https://t.co/ScJkIH9G31

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Anifrolumab appears effective & safe in refractory Cutaneous LE. OL Study of 15 CLE, on HCQ, topical steroids, failed multiple DMARDs. All Rx w/ ANIF 300 mg IV q4wks. ALL improved, CLASI-A decr from 16 to 1 (p<0.001); CLASI-D decreased from 5 to 4 (p<0.001). DBPCT needed! https://t.co/umEYz0XDyt
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Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in Dx of systemic sclerosis - study of 258 NVCs found giant capillaries (specificity 98%) & capillary density to be best at defining a scleroderma pattern (39%). Density ≤8 capillaries/mm best defined dropout (AUC 0.911); having both = 91% https://t.co/zyoe7ofGLR
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JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/G29CvZ6aux
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Dermatomyositis Reviewed Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options. https://t.co/Dm85RL99UU https://t.co/SbaVBWC3Wv

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Biologic Switching in Psoriasis A systematic review and meta-analysis found that biologic switching was effective in a significant number of psoriasis patients; but there may be a price to pay. https://t.co/QEv5jx9AIo https://t.co/06keUfXwRT

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Teaching You How to Think… (8.15.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and press clippings from the past week on RheumNow. Positive results in a Sjogren's trial, to PT or not to PT, and  aphorisms to live by.

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945 consecutive severe psoriasis pts Rx TNFi or nbUVB phototherapy (2005-2010) w/ median F/U > 9 yrs. After propensity matching, incidence of future PsA was 1.18/100 w/ TNFi vs 2.48/100 w/ nbUVB (IRR 2.1; 1.37–2.98, P = 0.0002). TNFi lowered PsA risk (HR = 0.32). PsA predictors https://t.co/aBsXs6RpCY
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Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in Dx of systemic sclerosis - study of 258 NVCs found giant capillaries (specificity 98%) & capillary density to be best at defining a scleroderma pattern (39%). Density ≤8 capillaries/mm best defined dropout (AUC 0.911); having both = 91% https://t.co/WQx6fbQiAB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/nz8F2lBwe5
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Dermatomyositis Reviewed Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options. https://t.co/Dm85RL99UU https://t.co/zHVBreQi58

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DID YOU KNOW? >30% of Systemic Sclerosis pts present without Raynauds!. Data from 2 large US cohorts, of SSc dx with puffy fingers/hands or other symptoms. Such patients presented with more severe skin and musculoskeletal disease. https://t.co/NP3KeUL5iX https://t.co/XWiAIljujL

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Review of risankizumab efficacy & safety included 545 psoriasis pts showing Mean PASI decreased from 14 to 0.5 at 208Wk. PASI100 achieved in 33% and 74% at 16Wk & 208Wk. Bio-naïve responded faster bio-experienced pts - only 5 pts D/C for adverse events https://t.co/VklLWpD0SF https://t.co/zZfuiFijd4

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CKD & Osteoporosis Rx Revisited (7.25.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal and FDA updates from this past week on RheumNow.com.

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Subclinical Synovitis Among Psoriasis Patients A systematic review shows that imaging can be used to detect subclinical synovitis among patients with psoriasis and may identify individuals at risk for future psoriatic arthritis. https://t.co/2603Aax8PP https://t.co/2XDtDg1QHh

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Subclinical Synovitis Among Psoriasis Patients

Jack Cush, MD

A systematic review shows that imaging can be used to detect subclinical synovitis among patients with psoriasis and may identify individuals at risk for future psoriatic arthritis.

A meta-analysis of 12 cross-sectional and case-control studies, synovitis was 2.5 times more likely to be

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Osteoarthritis (OA) degenerative or inflammatory? 296 pts w/ Knee OA (age 63 yrs, 2/3 had poor oral hygien, K&L grade 2, pain >40). Periodontitis in 62.5% & signif assoc w/ Xray K&L grade 4 (OR 5.39), poor oral hygiene (OR 34), dental visits (OR 8.54), brushing time (OR 21.9) https://t.co/xXIr2qxtt4
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Recent Blogs

A Domain-Based Approach to the GRAPPA Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment Recommendations

Laura Coates
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With their publication in June 2022 (1), the 3rd iteration of the Group for Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Treatment recommendations for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) may have set a record or sorts.

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Pain in Psoriatic Arthritis

Philip Mease, MD
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Pain is typically ranked by both patients and physicians as the most important symptom of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to assess and treat. Although the predominant concept of the etiology of pain in PsA is that of inflammation in peripheral joints, entheses, and bone signaling through peripheral nociceptive fibers, perceived as pain in the central nervous system, it is actually more complex than that. The ability of a treatment to ameliorate pain is one of the principle measures of its effectiveness. Thus pain improvement or worsening are key determinants of shared decision making about treatment in PsA.  Read Post
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