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Outcomes

PT in RA - Metanalysis of 17 RCTs, 1362 pts Rx w/ aerobic/resistance exercise, hydrotherapy, manual Rx, electrotherapy, multimodal Rx. 5 RCTs (n 307) signif reduced pain (SMD −0.347; interpreted as a small to medium effect favoring PT. https://t.co/UJGSGrgMV0 https://t.co/n4DzMSm9iJ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Wisdom of Medical Aphorisms

The American Journal of Medicine and Dr. Joseph S. Alpert have published a long list of smart, insightful and inspirational aphorisms from some of the greatest leaders in internal medicine. These aphorisms are timeless and should be passed from one generation of physicians to the next.

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Retrospective UK study of CPRD dataset (2012-2023) found 22 829 incident CTD Dx (81% F). Over time incidence SLE & Systemic Sclerosis fell, Sjogrens & MCTD stable, & IIM rose 3.23–4.31/100K. IIM had highest mortality (28/1000 py), followed by SSc, SLE, MCTD; lowest SjD (9.7)

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk goes up w/ age, obesity, estrogens; BUT a UK primary care database shows VTE risk signif higher in RA (n 23K) vs matched controls (n 94K): adj HR 1.46. Absolute VTE risk higher w/ age & BMI, but VTE higher in younger v older; normal vs. Hi BMI: https://t.co/htI2YqiF0c
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Chondrocalcinosis Increases Osteoarthritis Risk

Analysis of data from two large, prospective cohort studies show that knee chondrocalcinosis was associated with an increased risk of incident knee osteoarthritis.

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Mayo study of 659 incident RA pts finds Multimorbidity predicted 29% (OR:1.29) higher odds of RA flare, & 34% lower (OR:0.66) odds of remission. RA Flares assoc w/ female, smoking, younger age shorter Dz duration, but not seropositivity. Remission assoc w/ male, not smoking, https://t.co/yEwkQ63zIh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices

RheumNow surveyed clinicians worldwide on how their rheumatology practice, treatment decisions, and career outlooks have changed over the past 20 years. 242 respondents (68% from the USA) shared their perspectives on the changing landscape of rheumatoid arthritis care, practice patterns, and

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2025 ACR Guidance on Diagnosis and Management of VEXAS

The ACR has published a formal international consensus guidance on VEXAS as a resource for clinicians seeking to understand the disease and its management. 

VEXAS is a rare genetic disorder; the acronym stands for Vacuoles E1 enzyme X-linked

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Inefficiencies of ANA Testing The Journal of Rheumatology has published an analysis of antinuclear antibody (ANA) multiplex testing showing its nonspecific utility and poor rate of return in identifying ANA-associated autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs). https://t.co/hojdPPtCcI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Novartis announced top line results of its ianalumab (VAY736;B cell inhibitor) in primary Sjögren’s dz. 2 RCTs, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, met met primary endpoints w/ statistically significant improvements in disease activity in Sjögren’s patients. https://t.co/cIBhF3YJh3 https://t.co/YRTq6LEFhm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Aging Quiets Lupus UCSF researchers have found that epigentic changes in interferon genes over time may lead to lupus being less active as they age. https://t.co/MLBFLXnXOQ https://t.co/9aacdZPoED
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

IBS in America

Despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions. A new AGA-sponsored survey conducted by The Harris Poll, a Stagwell (STGW) agency, reveals that IBS symptoms disrupt patients’ productivity and personal activities 19 days each month, impacting both personal and professional

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Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.

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Dermatomyositis Reviewed

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

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Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) over the last 20 years. 

This study utilized the Global Burden of Disease

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RA leads to ILD: but ILD does not lead to RA

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, and approximately 30%-40% of patients develop pulmonary complications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the causal relationship between the two has long been unclear.

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Survey of 39 Spanish rheumatologists (mean age 50 yrs, 9.6 yrs in practice) finds that while 79% agreed on the importance of using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), only 28% use them routinely (mostly pain, VAS, HAQ) - reason? Time! https://t.co/YnZBXlK24M https://t.co/a8W52XO8jh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - NEJM Review

Sandborg et al. has published an overview of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - its classification, biology, genetics, , clinical presentations and treatment advances in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

JIA is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the pediatric

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RHEUMATOLOGIST Survey: How has your career/practice evolved in the last 20 years? Click here>>https://t.co/wyKkdUQclz a. just getting started… b. More research &scholarship c. Growing a successful practice d. Greater knowledge and expertise e. Closer to burn-out

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Evaluating lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels in blood samples from 53 patients with systemic JIA revealed significant differences across sJIA clinical phenotypes, with dynamic changes linked to treatment response over time ACR Open Rheumatology https://t.co/GU5y70EXiI https://t.co/oCiKd0INuT
ACR_Journals @ACR_Journals( View Tweet )
Large metanalysis of TNFi use in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (45 studies, 150K pts) shows no increased risk of de novo heart failure (HF), and no significant risk of HF worsening w/ TNFis. https://t.co/9sRVsMZ1kv https://t.co/Kapg9ZwVGf
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Annals of Family Medicine pub a machine learning study that predicts clinic "no-shows" w/ 85% accuracy & late cancellations w/ 92% accuracy. Data derived from >1.1 million appointments from 15 family medicine clinics in Pennsylvania between 2019 and 2023. https://t.co/462fwmEGJl https://t.co/n5vIbtKFu0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey

RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.

The first survey on RA Treatment (7/28/2025) sheds light on evolving prescribing habits, use of biologics, and key frustrations in RA

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FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/McheSz30dl
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Aging Quiets Lupus

EurekAlert!

UCSF researchers have found that epigentic changes in interferon genes over time may lead to lupus being less active as they age. Lupus is a “classic” autoimmune disease. It causes the immune system’s first-line viral defenses — known as interferons — to attack the body. Nearly every organ is at

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