Outcomes

GCA.glossary.wordle

Best of 2025: Glossary for Giant Cell Arteritis

Jack Cush, MD

Dejaco and colleagues have published a glossary of terms often used in conjunction with giant cell arteritis. The glossary of definitions for 23 signs and symptoms of GCA was developed through a consensus process involving international experts.

Read Article
joint.tap_.septic.monarthritis.jpg

Best of 2025: Distinguishing Septic and Gouty Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

A single center, retrospective review of patients undergoing knee joint fluid aspirations for presumed crystalline arthritis (CA) showed that synovial WBC may provide a useful diagnostic marker for SA with an optimal threshold of 50,000 cells/mm3.

Read Article
Jo1.gottrons.jpg

Best of 2025: Dermatomyositis Reviewed

Jack Cush, MD

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options.

Read Article
Disease Activity Criteria for Adult-Onset Still's Disease: EULAR Points to Consider EULAR has published a "points to consider" (PtCs) guidance on the development of criteria for the assessment of the disease activity in adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). https://t.co/3FikFiGgxM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
MTX.pills

Best of 2025: Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used DMARD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, there is significant intolerance to this drug among adult RA patients - especially at doses above 15 mg per week.

Read Article
Vexas

Best of 2025: Overview of the VEXAS Syndrome

Jack Cush, MD

A current systematic review in Rheumatology addresses the clinical features seen in the VEXAS syndrome.

Read Article
“Absence of proof of efficacy does not equal proof of absence of efficacy” - Arthur Kavanaugh, MD

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Austrian 1K Paracelsus cohort study; from 9,665, 296 (3.1%) had RA. CKD prevalence was higher in RA vs controls (11.8% vs. 6.7%, p<0.001). Albuminuria was dominant renal dz in RA (6.8% vs 4.2%, p=0.027), but missed signif after adjustments (OR 1.43; 0.96–2.13) https://t.co/9DnErwT4rX
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2025 Adult Rheumatology Fellowship Match is Strong (Again) The ACR announced today that 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match results show rheumatology fellowship positions continuing to fill at high rates. The Match uses a computerized process to pair applicant and https://t.co/ynP46pEKCa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ACR: New Data Highlights Urgent Need to Address Arthritis Burden New findings from national U.S. surveys reveal the profound impact of arthritis on millions of adults, especially those facing social and economic challenges. These data will be featured in an upcoming issue of https://t.co/3LlNQ3tx90
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Five Fractures You Don’t Want to Miss In orthopedic practice, missing the wrong fracture can significantly alter a patient’s outcome. Certain injuries may appear subtle on initial imaging yet carry serious consequences if not promptly recognized and managed. https://t.co/zyCRdUkMua
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RheumNow Podcast square

Telling You Where to Go (12.19.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. Who would've thunk - a PsA FMF connection? Labs to diagnose SSc-ILD? IgA-RF may be important or RZV may not work in JAK inhibitor treated patients?

Read Article
🦴 Genant-Modified Sharp Scoring System 🧮 A radiographic scoring system used to quantify joint damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), especially in clinical trials and long-term follow-up. 🔍 What does it assess? X-rays of hands and feet for: •Erosions •Joint Space Narrowing https://t.co/r5bvzFliBP

Links:

Ravi Kumar @RheumattDoc( View Tweet )

APP.TIPS

Tricks of the Trade – Clinic Advice from APPs

J. Cush and many APPs

December 2025 is focused on advanced practice providers, their impact, education and priorities.  In seeking and soliciting the help and advice of leaders in the rheumatology APP world, I have been impressed by APP pride, dedication and passion for what they do.

Read Article
MEDISPO study of 38 mild-mod psoriasis pts, 16-wk Mediterranean diet vs low-fat diet. Mediterranean diet did much better w/ PASI change −3.4 vs 0, more pts achieving a PASI 75 reduction (47.4% vs none) https://t.co/ZJU58VanGr https://t.co/x6juAT672B

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
IN RA: IgA-RF seen in 50%, IgA-ACPA in 20-40% (& are very specific). IgA-RF or -ACPA found in serum, saliva & syn.fluid.& may underlie "mucosal hypothesis" of RA. IgA-RF assoc w/ more severe RA, worse outcomes, Xtra-articular manifestations, & blunted TNF inhibitor responses https://t.co/SVUJmrIy2F
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
French ESTIVAL study - DB, sham trial of auricular vagal N stimulation in 148 Erosive hand OA (eHOA) pts w/ erosion + synovitis by US. @12wks, no signif difference in VAS pain (–16·0 vs –6 sham; p=0·22) w/ no safety issues. Was this a failed study or encouraging outcome? https://t.co/KI86H9izYS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
76 PsA pts asked 32 questions submitted to Chat-GPT4 & 12 specialists. Answers were scored (accuracy, completeness). Both equally accurate, ChatGPT scored lower in completeness. Other pts reviewed answers; they preferred ChatGPT 49% vs clinician 34%. ChatGPT was more readable.

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Austrian 1K Paracelsus cohort study; from 9,665, 296 (3.1%) had RA. CKD prevalence was higher in RA vs controls (11.8% vs. 6.7%, p<0.001). Albuminuria was dominant renal dz in RA (6.8% vs 4.2%, p=0.027), but missed signif after adjustments (OR 1.43; 0.96–2.13) https://t.co/qf0IpZC50Q
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Plaquenil.HCQ_.pills_.jpg (keep)

Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Lupus

Jack Cush, MD

A large observational cohort study suggests that monitoring hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels is effective in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a target therapeutic range (for HCQ level monitoring) of 750-1150 ng/ml.

Read Article
Survey of physician assistants finds 56% use AI daily (19% AI extensively). 87% PAs say they need to learn more about AI, 83% desire formal, employer-led AI training. 89% believe AI will dramatically changes PA practice, but only 32% have clear workplace guidelines on AI usage https://t.co/yGqZRC3mNt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2025 Adult Rheumatology Fellowship Match is Strong (Again) The ACR announced today that 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match results show rheumatology fellowship positions continuing to fill at high rates. The Match uses a computerized process to pair applicant and https://t.co/1p7o10kLPR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Dr, Tuhina Neogi writes its time for a new understanding of OA; its not just wear n tear. Based on preclinical and clinical evidence, OA is a systemic, whole-body disease and that this should change future research and treatment of #OA. https://t.co/gn9xt6CafP https://t.co/2iSKiyiCX4

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
GESPIC - German SpA study of 252 SpA (139 nr- axSpA, 113 r-axSpA), followed w/ serial Xrays and mSASS Scores over 2 yrs. 80% were on NSAIDs. Higher NSAID intake, particularly COX2i, on slowing radiographic progression in axSpA https://t.co/sKgCGaJFVr https://t.co/jMQTAnsCmG

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
PSS & Biomarkers: Dutch international scleroderma trial of 21 pts showed that cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) significantly correlated with modified Rodnan skin score; COMP were associated with mRSS change (r = 0.013) https://t.co/E7SgmIiYmn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Recent Blogs

rheumthought

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

Hydroxychloroquine for Everyone

Jack Cush, MD
ra.hands2_.JPG
Nearly 25 years ago, while lecturing on best therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I loudly stated that hydroxychloroquine was “useless” and, deservedly, I was “boo-ed” off stage. My point then was that rheumatologists needed to be aggressive, if not overly aggressive, in treating all RA patients. And my view was that HCQ was representative of under-treatment. I have reconsidered the use of HCQ in RA substantially in the last few years, based on its merit. Read Post
How well do you know this week's rheumatology news?
Take the rheumIQ quiz
Take the RheumIQ Quiz

×