Seronegative RA Disease Activity (7.17.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and Gout features from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Metanalysis of 31 studies (14,548 pts) looked at infection in idiopathic inflamm myopathy (IIMs). Infection prevalence was 24%, primarily Respiratory tract. PJP, aspergillosis, H zoster most prevalent pathogens. Risk factors: older age, male, DM, HTN,MDA5+ (OR 3.41), rapidly https://t.co/GvOvAVRkRv
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Hip Replacement Advances
Hip replacement surgery has been a major advance in the management of patients with hip damage and diminishing quality of life. While this review provides new information regarding a new type of hardware (end of article), lets begin with a general https://t.co/ZosOkoawiv
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ACR: Medicare Cuts for Physicians Highlight Need for Reform
ACR
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) was disappointed that the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) once again included a serious cut to the conversion factor. The -1.68% cut—the sixth proposed cut in as many years—
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Genicular artery embolization for knee OA does not work in a 12-mos randomized sham-controlled trial of 58 pts. Pain scores improved equally in both groups https://t.co/7wwmzpTaNL https://t.co/8MsRXqKDo2
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Congratulations to Dr. Chandra Mohan and Univ. of Houston for receiving a $4 million NIH grant for a 10-year longitudinal study to identify the earliest biological triggers of autoimmune disease https://t.co/6kMcv9PD5r https://t.co/CsY8QAxrXR
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ACP Position Paper on Dietary Supplements
More than half of U.S. adults use dietary supplements, yet only a quarter use supplements recommended by a healthcare professional, and current law lets supplements reach the market with no premarket safety evaluation, unlike drugs or food additives. The paper notes that under DSHEA, dietary
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Gout in Minority Populations
Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis, but its burden is not shared equally across 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
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Guidelines to Spot Cancer in High Risk Dermatomyositis
MedPage Today
International guidelines can help identify dermatomyositis patients with a particularly high risk for cancer, according to a retrospective single-center U.S. study.
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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/yFxwAYFPPb
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Updated Algorithm for the Management of Restless Legs Syndrome
Diagnose: chronic vs intermittent RLS (no need for polysomnography)
Test Iron levels (& Rx if)
Consider: remove exacerbators; walking/massage/heat; carbidopa/ levodopa; pramipexole or ropinirole; low potency opioids; https://t.co/XdzIipw1X8
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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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Gout Cavalcade (7.10.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory decisions from the past week. July is Gout: More than Flares month.
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Do we need Better Strategies to Prevent Osteoporotic Fractures?
In a recent JAMA Viewpoints article, Dr. Susan Ott addresses several controversies in preventing osteoporosis (OP) related fractures.
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ICYMI: Updated CRA/SPARCC Recommendations for Axial Spondyloarthritis
In 2024, the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CMA) and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) published a comprehensive set of 56 treatment recommendations for the management of axial https://t.co/ax0zwNcxYX
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FDA Delays Gout Drug NASP with Complete Response Letter
At the end of June, Sobi was awaiting an FDA decision on its Biologics License Application (BLA) for NASP (nanoencapsulated sirolimus plus pegadricase) for the treatment of adult patients with uncontrolled gout. On June 26, 2026, SOBI received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. FDA that
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Problems with treatment adherence in the management of gout
Compared to common medical conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia or osteoporosis, where the reported drug adherence rates are between 50% to 70%, the drug adherence for gout is 37%.
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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 )
Prosthetic Jt Infections after prior Septic Arthritis? Systematic review of 35 retro studies/7,447 pts (4,896 TKA, 2,564 THA). PJI rate = 2.6%, more after TKA (9.8%) than THA (1.1%). Lower rates w/ longer intervals between TJA and septic arthritis. 2 stage procedures increased https://t.co/M425Xuc7Z4
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A federal judge has blocked the Department of Education new rule restricting graduate school loans for NPs and PAs. DEA plan does not qualify NP & PA degrees as "professional", & loans were to be limited to $20,500 annually ($100K lifetime) https://t.co/5eIcFgbbx6 https://t.co/xuik5TWjVU
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DMARD Efficacy in RA-ILD
A network meta-analysis in the Journal of Autoimmunity reviews the pharmacologic options for rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). RA-ILD guidelines were recently presented by ERS/EULAR, but these were mainly conditional, low-certainty recommendations.
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The Power of Self-Management with Chronic Low Back Pain
EurekAlert!
Almost everyone will deal with back pain at some point in their lives. Most recover quickly — but for about 20% of people, acute pain becomes a chronic condition that interferes with daily life and keeps them out of the workforce
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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
Links:
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EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA
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. https://t.co/9HI9SwMSSv
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ICYMI: VEXAS Syndrome - A Review
Beck et al has published a review of the VEXAS syndrome in The Lancet, focusing on the pathogenesis, spectrum, and treatment strategies.
https://t.co/K9IMLBdCGI https://t.co/LJdnRflzsU
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Therapeutic Updates
5-Year Results of an IL-23 Inhibitor in Patients With PsA
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Alvin Wells and Dr. Shikha Singla share their clinical perspectives on using an IL–23 inhibitor to manage patients with PsA throughout their treatment journey in the context of 5-year data from the KEEPsAKE trial program.
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Sjögren’s Disease – What Are You Missing?
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
What could you be missing in Sjögren's disease? Explore hypothetical patient cases with atypical presentations, systemic manifestations, and overlooked symptoms. Gain expert insights and practical tips for clinical assessment from Dr Shereen Mahmood and learn how the ESSDAI can help you measure disease activity.
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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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Podcasts
EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 3a-
EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 2a
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EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 1a
