Saliva and Uric Acid Testing
A recent report from China reaffirms the potential utility of salivary uric acid (UA) testing delivers smartphone-guided, enzyme-free gout screening at home for pennies per test.
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New research shows synovial lining enriched in macrophages expressing SPP1 (encoding osteopontin) in proximity to fibroblasts and fibrin deposits. SPP1+ macrophages degrade fibrin & promote fibroblast proliferation that deposit collagen & does the damage, joint remodeling. A new https://t.co/hrJoQXpAH8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
JAMA HBV review - Worldwide, HBV affects ~254 million, causing 1.1 million deaths. In 2022, 14k new HBV infx in the US. HBsAg = ongoing infxn; HBsAb indicates immunity; HBcAg=ongoing or past infection. Do HBV DNA for virus-replication activity https://t.co/Yvdx09DrQ5 https://t.co/88VsTEgFev
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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Uric Acid: Is Lower Better?
Lowering serum urate and urate crystals in the body is indispensable for long-term management of gout. The pathophysiology is simple and powerful: no urate crystals, no gout flares. However, this simplicity in goal belies a nuanced consideration in management: how low should serum
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RT @aurelierheumo
A long release version of xanthine oxidase inhibitor in gout
-442 pts 36 wks
-HR091506 vs febuxostat
-SUA <300 μmol/L: 63.8% vs 40.7% (Δ +22.9%, p<0.0001)
-higher SUA reduction vs baseline
-Similar overall TEAEs (~90%)
A molecule to keep an eye on!
#LB0008
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR26: ANCHOR-RA Study of RA-ILD
EurekAlert!
People with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), which is associated with high mortality. ANCHOR-RA is a large, international cross-sectional prospective study that will enable the development of a multivariable model to help detect RA-ILD.5
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EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA
EurekAlert!
EULAR recommends a combination of glucocorticoids with either rituximab or cyclophosphamide for remission induction in life-threatening or organ-threatening AAV, followed by gradual tapering of glucocorticoids.
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ICYMI: Worldwide Trends in Hyperuricemia
A Lancet Rheumatology systematic review shows the prevalence of hyperuricaemia has risen markedly over the past two decades in both men and women, owing to population growth, aging, and increasing age-specific rates
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ICYMI: EGPA Review
A current review of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) provides current recommendations on diagnosis and management.
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Prospective study of 6 newly Dx RA pts starting MTX shows MTX causes a decline in T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and plasmablasts (@ wk 3 before clin response), selectively in responders but not nonresponders. MTX shifts cellular & gene expression towards a more physiological https://t.co/scmfAAE9XA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Is there a path to precision medicine in #RA? Theres a substantial unmet need. Immunoengineering is possible thru nanotechnological delivery vectors, cellular therapeutics, & biomaterial scaffolds, with compelling preclinical and early clinical support. https://t.co/gL56EOlt7p https://t.co/31IRNXckym
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR26: Updates in SLE and APS
EurekAlert!
Severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (srSLE) is a clinical state conceptualised as persistent high disease activity despite standard care with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.
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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,
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2-Gene Blood Test for Kawasaki Disease in Febrile Children
JAMA Network Open has publshed that a simple 2-gene blood test may aid the earlier diagnosis of Kawasaki disease in children with febrile illnesses.
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Where are we with Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
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-
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Is there a path to precision medicine in #RA? Theres a substantial unmet need. Immunoengineering is possible thru nanotechnological delivery vectors, cellular therapeutics, & biomaterial scaffolds, with compelling preclinical and early clinical support. https://t.co/gL56EOlt7p https://t.co/IFSHOM8g7w
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
JAMA Review on Low Back Pain
A comprehensive JAMA review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and treatment of nonspecific low back pain, drawing on 108 publications identified from a PubMed search (2005–2026) and the most recent guidelines from the WHO, ACP, and NICE.
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Do You Zoster Vaccinate? (6.19.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and best ways to review EULAR 2026.
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Usual testing for SSA (Ro) pos. in Sjogrens identifies both Ro52 + Ro60 Abs, found in 70% of SjD. Pts who are double pos (Ro52+Ro60) have more severe dz, more Bcell activity. Ro60+ have milder dz; Recent report shows SjD pts have Ro60-specific CD4 T cells, activating Bcells https://t.co/SqoLICHOkS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR 2026 Recommendations on PMR, GCA, and Takayasu Arteritis
On the final day of EULAR 2026, Mukhtyar et al (on behalf of a large international task force) presented the updated EULAR recommendations for management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). There were 5 overarching principles and 12
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In the psoriasis-to-PsA transition study at EULAR 2026, which ultrasound finding best distinguished progressing from stable subclinical PsA? Test your knowledge in this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/Fnzn4UPu0n https://t.co/kV0zA7qyg7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RA-ILD: Screening risk and genetic susceptibility
Two abstracts presented at EULAR 2026 add important insights into identifying patients at risk for RA-ILD and understanding the genetic mechanisms that may underpin disease development.
https://t.co/IABp8NhUtS https://t.co/j8UHK2GRd7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Renal Biopsies in SLE
Dr. Andrea Fava reporting from EULAR 2026 in London.
https://t.co/naCyEAutbb https://t.co/XgdiXY3hiO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR 2026 Rheumatology RoundUp
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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Watch our 11-video series on ILD Treatment and Guidelines including videos on assessing ILD, guidelines caveats and concerns, and more.
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Biomarkers in RA
Sponsored by Augurex
Rheumatologist Dr. Walter Maksymowych discusses the role of biomarkers in RA care, with a focus on 14-3-3eta as a modifiable marker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
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Recent Blogs
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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Podcasts
EULAR 2021 - Day2d00:23:12
