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Genetics

Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Monogenic Inflammatory Disorders Go Unrecognized Lancet Rheumatology published a large cohort analysis using a genome-first approach with whole-exome sequencing, finding a prevalence of 1 in 4026 (159/640092) for monogenic disorders, half with inflammatory features. Only one https://t.co/4v1PP41rii
Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Retrospective review of 33 referred pts w/ Recurrent fever w/ MSK & skin Sxs, assessed by NGS. NLRP1 had FMF-like Dz; NLRP recurrent fevers w/ mucocutaneous; NLRP12 periodic fevers w/ MP/EN rash; NLRC4 episodic systemic inflammation GI Sxs & atypical skin rash https://t.co/Ll2V0Uzfio
Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Review of HLA-B27 What’s New? HLA-B27 remains the dominant genetic link to spondyloarthritis (SpA) across the age spectrum, but B27 related clinical expression diverges between children and adults. New mechanistic data on autoreactive T cells, HLA-B27 misfolding, and gut-joint https://t.co/13hbXlAvCr

Review of HLA-B27

Jack Cush, MD

HLA-B27 remains the dominant genetic link to spondyloarthritis (SpA) across the age spectrum, but B27 related clinical expression diverges between children and adults. New mechanistic data on autoreactive T cells, HLA-B27 misfolding, and gut-joint trafficking point to new plausible, targetable

A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)

Jack Cush, MD

The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74. The following are declarations, tributes, and memories dedicated to this mensch of a man, titan of science, memorable mentor and humble physician.

Genetic Risk Loci in Fibromyalgia

Jack Cush, MD

Researchers examined genetic data drawn from 11 different worldwide cohorts, that included from more than 2.5 million adults, of which 55,000 had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. They identified DNA sequence variants in 26 regions of the genome that affect the risk of developing fibromyalgia.

Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
"Leeuwenhoek (invented the microscope) examined uric acid (C5H4N4O3) crystals from gout patients and found them to resemble needles. He expounded on his observations in an 11 July 1679 letter responding to an earlier query from Mr. Lambert van Velthuysen (1622–1685), a physician, https://t.co/mY2wqYlRda
Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
Gout in Minority Populations Recent research has revealed substantial racial and ethnic disparities in both who develops gout and the care patients receive. These differences reflect not only genetic susceptibility but also the substantial influence of social determinants of https://t.co/SKEsQVZPw6

2026 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis

ACR

New and updated clinical guidelines released today provide comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) for both adults and children. The effort includes an update to the 2019 ACR/SAA/SPARTAN treatment guidelines focusing on adults,

Where are we with Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Jack Cush, MD

Biomarker interest has grown considerably in the last 2 decades, owing to advances in genetics, imaging, protein, and multiomics. Despite these advances, biomarkers as the predictive holy grail of RA therapeutics and prognostication have not yet advanced beyond rheumatoid serologies and C-

Redefining axial spondyloarthritis

Jack Cush, MD

An editorial in Lancet Rheumatology calls for "..reframing axSpA as a systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease with multiorgan involvement and substantial unmet need."

The pathogenesis relies on not only HLA-B27, but also on environmental triggers, immune dysregulation, and

Dr. John Cush
@RheumNow
What’s New in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Whirlwind Tour At #EULAR2026, Prof. Dennis McGonagle highlighted three key PsA trends: the rise of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, progress toward personalized care (though not yet fully realized), and the next frontier of defining https://t.co/zN4K92UnW9

EULAR 2026 Rheumatology RoundUp

Jack Cush, MD

It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.

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