Teaching You How to Think… (8.15.2025)
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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New #therapy in #SLE
#lupus https://t.co/TPeKxfw9hq
Dr hanady manasfi @hanadymanasfi( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CKD & Osteoporosis Rx Revisited (7.25.2025)
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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.
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Zasocitinib (Tyk2 Inhibitor) Efficacy in Psoriatic Arthritis
A highly selective, tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor zasocitinib (TAK-279), was studied in a phase 2b trial and found to be effective and safe patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
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Cancer Survival Outcomes in Autoimmune Skin Disease Patients
Patients with autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) with cancer had significantly better cancer survival outcomes than those without ASD, suggesting coexistant autoimmune or inflammatory disease does not adversely affect a https://t.co/apnX4GGAdT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Reducing Progression of Psoriasis to Psoriatic Arthritis
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapy was effective in reducing the likelihood that psoriasis would progress to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a retrospective study indicated.
https://t.co/xOtA2Hrgue https://t.co/S522IYnFgz
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cancer Survival Outcomes in Autoimmune Skin Disease Patients
Patients with autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) with cancer had significantly better cancer survival outcomes than those without ASD, suggesting coexistant autoimmune or inflammatory disease does not adversely affect a cancer prognosis.
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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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