APPs in the News (12.5.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, including info on scleroderma, dermatomyositis and malignancy, rheumatologist and APP salary concerns.
Read Article
PROSPERO metanalysis of 22 studies & 2208 JIA associated uveitis (JIAU) showed severe visual impairment in 16.6% at ~18 yrs. Most frequent: Cataract (44.3%), followed by glaucoma, synechiae, band keratopathy and hypotony. Biologics were protective https://t.co/6OoupX64NE https://t.co/7bp0JtRken
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
PROSPERO metanalysis of 22 studies & 2208 JIA associated uveitis (JIAU) showed severe visual impairment in 16.6% at ~18 yrs. Most frequent: Cataract (44.3%), followed by glaucoma, synechiae, band keratopathy and hypotony. Biologics were protective https://t.co/6OoupX64NE https://t.co/4GFnugdvod
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ILD in Patients with Connective Tissue Disease
Dr. Janet Pope reports on abstract 0154 (Incidence and Prevalence of Connective Tissue Diseases with Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) in the United States) at #ACR25.
https://t.co/WrJhsMizwV https://t.co/rkFny5ZjZQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Organ Involvement with Behçet’s
A review of patient data from the International AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) Network registry identifying those with mucocutaneous Behçet’s disease (BD) may progres to major organ involvement (MOI)m especially at later stages. https://t.co/jqM4IZuobe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Sjogren’s disease: is it maybe true you need to still have some salivary function left to get benefit from therapy?
Ianalumab (BAFF inh) ph3 NEPTUNUS-1/2
Very decent on primary (ESSDAI) & we will see this
Salivary flow only improved when some at baseline
#ACR25 LB24 @RheumNow https://t.co/uGwKdN3Dsh
Links:
David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
Predictors of retinopathy progression after HCQ discontinued?
In the chart review of 28 pt records who had retinopathy, 35% progressed despite d/c
Age - significant assoc'n with progression
✳️monitor toxicity more closely esp in older pts
#ACR25 @RheumNow Abs2444 https://t.co/9rf2RQAgRQ
sheila @RHEUMarampa( View Tweet )
Is tocilizumab equally effective in ischemic vs. non-ischemic GCA?
Ischemic = vision, jaw claudication, or CVA
Remission at 6 mo higher in non-ischemic group then with equalization at month 12
No major difference in GCs at month 12
@RheumNow #ACR25 #Abst0739 https://t.co/OeYggSQYx8
Brian Jaros, MD @Dr_Brian_MD( View Tweet )
Nice SRMA evaluating HCQ dosing
>5mg/kg associated w/3.8x risk of retinopathy...
...but <5mg/kg associated w/1.8x risk of SLE flares
Morbidity from one of those is easily avoided by regular screening; morbidity from the other can be devastating
@RheumNow #ACR25 Abstr#805 https://t.co/1vJXxXqiRC
Mike Putman @EBRheum( View Tweet )
In case there was any doubt:
GCA leads to ischemic vision loss
PMR does not
#ACR25 ABST0753 @RheumNow https://t.co/mCS9B4Flgl
David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
Project from my group & rheum-bound resident Mary Peng!
As expected, ischemic vision loss for GCA compared to PMR (HR 5.4) and gen pop (HR 5.6) 😬
NO difference for PMR vs gen pop (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.86–1.41)
Reassuring for pts w/PMR!
#ACR25 @RheumNow Abstr#0753 #ACRBest https://t.co/HKzc7OOzmP
Mike Putman @EBRheum( View Tweet )
Not just for salivary glands—lacrimal ultrasound helps too.
In early Sjögren’s, lacrimal + salivary US clearly distinguished SjD from sicca (AUC up to 0.97).
Noninvasive, reproducible, and highly diagnostic.
@RheumNow #ACR25 Abstract #0507
Jiha Lee @JihaRheum( View Tweet )
HIGH YIELD🚨Summary of Organ Specific Recommendations-ACR guidelines for Management of SLE by Dr Lisa Sammaritano. @RheumNow #ACR2025 https://t.co/ysSTKOz1ym
Gabriela Martinez Zayas, MD @MartinezZayasMd( View Tweet )
QD Clinic: Beyond the Numbers in Newly Diagnosed ILD
Dr. Eric Dein, Summit, NJ, presents a case of a new patient with interstitial lung disease, as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025.
https://t.co/HLnX5WbbTw https://t.co/SZeI4bqSAm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
In lupus patients presenting with demyelinating symptoms, consider a probable disease overlap between NPSLE and NMOSD.
>>>> serum AQP4 is highly specific for NMOSD.
@RheumNow #APLAR25 @rheumarhyme @marklagacmd https://t.co/2Z8rbJ3a1c
sheila @RHEUMarampa( View Tweet )
🆕 Intro to ILD (Part I): the essentials
🫁 Definition & basics
🔬 Key pathology patterns
🧑⚕️ Clinical approach
📋 What rheums need to know
⬇️ Download & learn more: https://t.co/7RzpTDOjwa
Created by @MithuRheum | via @RheumNow for our Rheum to Breathe: ILD Campaign https://t.co/D9d97bqcD5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RheumNow Podcast – Ro, Ro, Ro52 (9.12.2025)
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.
Read Article
AI can Dx & predict HCQ retinopathy (HR). An International, Multi-center study used retrospective data from 409 pts (171 HR+, 238 HR-) & tested on 8251 SD-OCT scans. AI Dx 100% & predicted 98.7% mean 221 D before Dx. Sensitivity 100%; specificity 98%, PPV 94%; NPV 100% https://t.co/USABVO8Ss5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Systemic Sclerosis–Associated ILD
Watch Alicia Hinze, MD, share personalized strategies for managing Systemic Sclerosis–Associated ILD. Sponsored By: Boehringer Ingelheim
https://t.co/Mxg9P50m7C
#ILD #Scleroderma https://t.co/Cmupl7Dgwl
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Based on a survey in Japan, resolution of dry mouth was the most important symptom resolution reported by SJD pts.
The JCR CPG for SjD suggests RTX for glandular involvement while BEL for extra-glandular involvements.
#APLAR25 @RheumNow https://t.co/SsUvQIM9Eu
Links:
sheila @RHEUMarampa( View Tweet )
September to Remember (9.5.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow. This week - unemployment, diagnosing Sjogren's and a lot of ILD.
Read Article
GLP-1 receptor agonists use assoc w/ lower risk of uveitis compared vs controls. EHR study 258 026 ea on GLP-1RA or not. GLP-1RAs exhibited roughly half the risk of developing uveitis. Protective effect greater than that of metformin & insulin but lower than SGLT2i https://t.co/w311b6swc3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
It's now called Sjögren Disease!
Sjögren syndrome is now Sjögren disease, according to recommendations stemming from the 2023 International Rome consensus for the nomenclature of Sjögren disease.
Read Article
Glossary for Giant Cell Arteritis
Dejaco and colleagues have published a glossary of terms often used in conjunction with giant cell arteritis. The glossary of definitions for 23 signs and symptoms of GCA was developed through a consensus process involving international https://t.co/cIA3UvNcP6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Metanalysis of Uveitis & JIA - 28 studies, 22,834 JIA pts w/ 3,381dx w/ uveitis - prevalence = 12.7%,, highest in Europeans (14.3%), lowest in Asian (6.5%). Uveitis risk factors included early age JIA onset, ANA-positive, and increased ESR. https://t.co/MxffJKvbik https://t.co/LDz60uwQTM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Recent Blogs
We review the available literature, with a particular focus on the recent findings in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort, regarding the clinical utility of hydroxychloroquine blood levels in helping to clarify some of the issues regarding retinopathy, how best to dose this medication, and medication adherence.
Read Post
