Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Risk
About one in 18 patients taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for 15 years develop retinal damage, a new meta-analysis indicated.
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UBER Rheumatology Ride (3.6.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/iDNCJMLe4S https://t.co/amsEJ8Q5MI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Muscular strength is a resilience marker relevant to function. A prospective cohort study of 5472 women (mean 79 yrs), showed that greater muscular strength (grip strength, chair stand time) was assoc w/ lower mortality (HR 0.85- 0.67) https://t.co/HEO4r2cdmS https://t.co/Ada3Bnrt0Z
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TYK2 Inhibitor Deucravacitinib FDA Approved for Psoriatic Arthritis
On Friday, March 6th, the FDA approved deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) based on the results of the pivotal Phase 3 POETYK PsA-1 and POETYK PsA-2 clinical trials. Deucravacitinib, an oral selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2)
Missed #RheumNowLive 2026?
The full meeting is now available On Demand.
✔ 2 days of clinical updates
✔ Expert faculty panels
✔ Speaker slides
✔ Pre-learn modules
Watch anytime for $250.
Learn from the meeting that kicks off the year in rheumatology.
🔗 Access here: https://t.co/hAvw6a8GQ1
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
B cell Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
The review by Qi Li and colleagues provides a comprehensive examination of the progression, clinical applications, challenges, and future directions of B-cell-targeted CAR-T therapy across multiple autoimmune conditions. https://t.co/b1SmrOBbBU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
IL-23i fails in GCA? Small RCT of 53 GCA pts (age 71 yrs; 60% new; 40% relapsing GCA) 35 given Guselkumab vs 18 on PBO. Wk 28 GC free remission in 40% vs 33% (P .64), also w/ similar flare rates (31% v 39%). results didnt supportguselkumab use in GCA. https://t.co/AMTmiDBc94 https://t.co/4AQe8HbwQp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diacerin, an IL-1β blocker, compared to placebo in a 262 pt RCT of knee pain, Knee #OA w/ inflammation. After 24 wks, 88% completed the trial & (vs PBO) diacerein did not improve knee pain (−19.9 vs −18.6 mm). 42% had AE/ GI Sxs were more w/ diacerein (42% vs 25% PBO https://t.co/P2d6IhFw2I
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US Epidemiologic survey data from NHANES gout prevalence is incr. in RA pts vs controls (10.3% vs. 4.8%, P < 0.001), increasing trend over time. RA is as an independent risk factor for gout (OR: 2.67), strongest in SNRA. Evidence for the converse may not be as strong. https://t.co/hhRT9NCzVG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
UBER Rheumatology Ride (3.6.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com
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B cell Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
The review by Qi Li and colleagues provides a comprehensive examination of the progression, clinical applications, challenges, and future directions of B-cell-targeted CAR-T therapy across multiple autoimmune conditions. https://t.co/09BnvVYfiZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Osteoporosis: Thinking outside the box
As rheumatologists, most of us manage osteoporosis in some form every single day. We have newer agents, newer sequencing strategies, and an increasing number of patients asking for “less medicinal” options that go beyond a prescription. At RWCS, Dr. Gina Woods opened her talk by reframing
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Open-access Arthralgia Clinics
The early diagnosis in inflammatory arthritis (IA), particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hinges on efficient referral and screening of arthralgia patients. Yet most rheumatology practices are ill equipped or don't
Retrospective study of 1553 IBD pts taking biologics or JAKi, w/ 5+ yrs of F/U, 6.8% developed MSK Sxs, with one-third subsequently Dx w/ SpA. HLA-B27 positivity (HR 3.7) and higher UC disease activity (HR 1.57) were associated with an increased risk of SpA. https://t.co/I2YSOLhkAb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/IfbOUZV0dP https://t.co/nVxjdG8f26
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Treat-to-Target and Cardiovascular Benefits in Gout
A new user cohort study of 109 504 gout patients, achieving a serum urate level less than 6 mg/dL, was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events.
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Diacerin, an IL-1β blocker, compared to placebo in a 262 pt RCT of knee pain, Knee #OA w/ inflammation. After 24 wks, 88% completed the trial & (vs PBO) diacerein did not improve knee pain (−19.9 vs −18.6 mm). 42% had AE/ GI Sxs were more w/ diacerein (42% vs 25% PBO https://t.co/QabS3xLN85
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cross-sectional study of Joint hypermobility (JH) in 256 young adults (75% female) found JH in 42%, females w/ signif. higher Beighton scores. 88% had chronic MSK pain; 38% had acute MSK pain. MSK pain was signif higher in students with mild JH (BS 4–6/9 pts; P < 0.009) https://t.co/QZwJ9zHfEj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Hydroxychloroquine Lowers SLE and RA Hospitalizations
A population based study from British Columbia, Canada, shows that antimalarial adherence was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission in patients with rheumatoid
OA & Exercise? Metanalysis of 5 reviews (n=8631) & 28 trials (n=4360) show little or no proof that exercise benefits OA. Exercise has small, short-term effects vs placebo & no-treatment for knee OA pain. Moderate evidence of no effects in hip, & small effects in hand OA. https://t.co/ycLGNlP8Sf
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
I recently attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Anisha Dua on progress in the diagnosis and treatment of large-vessel vasculitis, with a focus on giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. She opened with what felt like the most honest “state of the union” slide you can show a room
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The prevalence of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Australia is 26,788 (16,294 certain, 10,494 uncertain cases). Betw 2010-2022 incidence was 77-127/100,000 (certain cases). About half had received SLE care in an outpatient setting. Australia is 1/13 the population of USA https://t.co/n1sbFNPRbn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
“Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life”
- Henri Frederic Amiel
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease
Rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung https://t.co/Z8ZBGmqT93
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
3 Months of Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
A report in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggested that 3 months of romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab is as effective at increasing hip bone mineral density (BMD) as the standard 12-month course. https://t.co/HPM7DdRFBM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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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Poster Hall
Recent Blogs
Dr. Cush provides a systematic approach to evaluating musculoskeletal and rheumatic complaints in clinical practice.
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Podcasts
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day4a-
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day3a
ACR 2025 CAR-T Topic Podcasts Compilation 1
