Labs/Biomarkers

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Maui Potpourri (2.13.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the hot item takeaways from last week's RheumNow.Live 2026.

  1. Diet & Obesity Management in Rheumatology - Uzma Haque, MD
  2. Mitigating risk for Rheum patients undergoing orthopedic surgery - Susan Goodman, MD
  3. Paradoxical skin reactions – Joseph
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RT @richardPAconway Lifetime risk of ILD by RA/sex/MUC5B status. We can see the synergistic effect. Also note RA>MUC5B in general. #RNL26 https://t.co/L5MOVVGIt3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RT @richardPAconway MUC5B is strong risk factor for RA-ILD. Specifically for UIP. Associated with both older-onset RA, and ILD earlier following RA presentation. #RNL26 https://t.co/qeLp1BqOEM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RT @ericdeinmd Mucosal Hypothesis RA #RNL26 Demoruelle ACPA can predate RA development Nam et al: non-specific jt pain: 42% developed RA in 12 mos Circiumaro et al: MSK complaints 38% devel RA in 36 mo APIPPRA: 29% at 12 mo, 37% at 24 mo, StopRA 18% in 12 mo, 33% at 36 mo https://t.co/DxGhhFL1gO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RT @ericdeinMD Mucosal Hypothesis RA #RNL26 Demoruelle ACPA can predate RA development Nam et al: non-specific jt pain: 42% developed RA in 12 mos Circiumaro et al: MSK complaints 38% devel RA in 36 mo APIPPRA: 29% at 12 mo, 37% at 24 mo, StopRA 18% in 12 mo, 33% at 36 mo https://t.co/JYiWmn0N0g
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RT @richardPAconway Dr Sparks. RA-ILD is common. Pooled prevalence of 11% from recent meta-analysis. Less common than SSc or IIM, but more frequent than we think! #RNL26 https://t.co/TCsDfeQjZC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RT @ericdeinmd Mortality risk in RA #RNL26 Myasoedova Most common mortality: 1.5-1.6x increase risk CVD 2-3x increase risk ILD +ACPA increases risk in both https://t.co/Luwyy6UFg6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Factors that may augment future development of SLE - includes Vitamin D levels, poor sleep, EBV reactivation & social determinants of health. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/2J1JBjeXKU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/iyC68qh49R
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NEXT STEPS: Karp and investigators are engaged in the MONA LISA study - Using smile Data and biospeciments – they intend to look for biomarkers that may better predict the future development of SLE Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/acZD1kmNhq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Factors that may augment future development of SLE - includes Vitamin D levels, poor sleep, EBV reactivation & social determinants of health. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/e3TKATcxXB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW Showing that autoantibodies exist long before the onset of SLE @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/zPAYbSlIBS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RA,polyarticular,black,rheumatoid

ALTO: Long-Term Abatacept Outcomes in At-Risk RA

Jack Cush, MD

Lancet Rheumatology has published the ALTO results - long term outcomes of the APIPPRA trial, demonstrating that treatment with abatacept (ABA) in at risk patients can delay progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years.

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Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada

Jack Cush, MD

A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX).

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Notch and TGFβ Signaling in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis Spatial transcriptomic profiling of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial biopsies (pre- and post-treatment) has revealed new insights into the pathobiology or treatment resistent RA. https://t.co/vCvFpnIOvS https://t.co/EV6OihT0br

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/fJrhypNE2A
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Testing for RF, CCP, ESR and CRP Check out the accompanying Advanced Practice Rheum: Rheumatoid and Inflammation Testing video. https://t.co/4hkDO1M2UD https://t.co/APRKYLAS3k

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Minnesota Mayo clinic retrospective, population study of RF & CCP in 1373 incident RA pts. At Dx, 37% dual seropositive, 13% +CCP only, 12% +RF only, & 38% seronegative. zDual seropositives had more erosions (31%) & flares (69% vs 51%). But +RF only highest mortality (adj 2.18) https://t.co/hPQewVgPoq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Consensus on Managing Vertebral Fractures in Advanced CKD

EurekAlert!

A coalition of leading international experts have released the first comprehensive Consensus Statement on the Management of Vertebral Fractures in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages G4–G5D. The statement highlights a neglected yet devastating complication of advanced

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Testing for RF, CCP, ESR and CRP Check out the accompanying Advanced Practice Rheum: Rheumatoid and Inflammation Testing video. https://t.co/o1sle6CKg5 https://t.co/roYXcbPdBh

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Evaluation of pts w/ muscle weakness and elevated muscle enzymes https://t.co/faTWMscUzz https://t.co/Dcx8m4Ny7Y

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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APPIPRA Study - Benefits of Early Treatment

EurekAlert!

Treating people who are at high risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can delay the onset of the disease for several years, with benefits also continuing well after treatment has stopped.

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Smartphones and Rheumatoid Flares FORWARD Databank of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients reveals that smartphone data can predict flares using PROs. https://t.co/xy6uqsQNt2 https://t.co/JwZlOLco6V

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Evaluation of pts w/ muscle weakness and elevated muscle enzymes https://t.co/1Yn3OXXEH6 https://t.co/qsTr4U1xV7

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Emergency Department Visits by Rheumatoid Patients

Jack Cush, MD

A Canadian population study shows that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have 30% higher emergency department (ED) visit rates for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) compared to age- and sex-matched population controls.

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Recent Blogs

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Rheumatoid & Inflammation Testing

Jack Cush, MD
APR Rheum and Inflammation Testing Cover
Master the dos and don'ts of ordering RF, CCP (ACPA), and inflammatory markers that could transform your diagnostic accuracy. Read Post
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CNS Lupus (NPSLE)

Jack Cush, MD
Cush RhTh CNS
29 yr. old woman with SLE and transverse myelitis. Is this NPSLE; how to diagnose? Read Post
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Rx Updates (filtered for Topic)

Therapeutic Updates

The Impact of Obesity on Psoriatic Arthritis

Sponsored by Lilly Medical Affairs
Lilly February RX Update Revised Image
Image alt text: A person indoors raises one arm in a flexed pose while holding the elbow with the opposite hand. Is obesity common in your patients with PsA? Learn more about the intersection of disease pathogenesis between PsA and obesity and how weight intervention can affect PsA outcomes.
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