PMR

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Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada

Jack Cush, MD

A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX).

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2026 Resolutions (1.9.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, announcements and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. More on Variable bendability, a better way to treat RA, and a novel advance for GLP1a in PsA; and 2026 Resolutions!

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58 newly Dx #PMR pts (on <8 wks steroids/GC) randomised 1:1 MTX 25 mg/wk or placebo, w/ 24-week GC-tapering protocol. @wk 52 GC-free remission achieved in 80% of MTX vs 46% of placebo pts (risk difference 34%, 1-sided 95% CI: 14%, 1-sided P = .0042) https://t.co/75SLx5LtqZ https://t.co/HtDAJe5VI2

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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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.

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Cases & Guidelines: Tuesday Night Rheumatology Panelists discuss their approaches to a range of difficult cases in multiple areas, including RA, PsA and PMR. Panelists: Audrey Gibson, PA-C; Benjamin A. Smith, PA-C; Emma Bavage, ANP; Jack Cush, MD https://t.co/vl5J9NYUKZ https://t.co/nsTf370bu9

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cases & Guidelines: Tuesday Night Rheumatology Panelists discuss their approaches to a range of difficult cases in multiple areas, including RA, PsA and PMR. Panelists: Audrey Gibson, PA-C; Benjamin A. Smith, PA-C; Emma Bavage, ANP; Jack Cush, MD https://t.co/1HPBdPdIVx https://t.co/30Q6azQU3r

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
APP QD Clinic: Unweanable PMR APP QD Clinic: Unweanable PMR Jack Cush, MD, and Leilani Law, APN, Dallas, TX, discuss a case regarding unweanable polymyalgia rheumatica. This APP QD clinic is presented as part of RheumNow's "Mission: APP Partners in Care" campaign during the https://t.co/Gl8iQJf1d2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Turkey Tryptophan (11.28.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports from this past week on RheumNow.com, including reports on FDA resurrections, FM seasonal worsening, and do you fight switch or swap biologics in PsA TNFi nonresponders?

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In 2024, 77 pts referred to Rheum for possible PMR were ultimately Dx w/ B19 viral infx. 96% had arthralgia & 7% had PMR-like features (5/5 w/ BL shoulder/neck. prolonged AM stiff, fever & Hi CRP/ESR - none had hip pain. 4/5 were male, w/ mean age of 55 yrs. None were RF/CCP+ https://t.co/lIX4gDLjqd
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
In 2024, 77 pts referred to Rheum for possible PMR were ultimately Dx w/ B19 viral infx. 96% had arthralgia & 7% had PMR-like features (5/5 w/ BL shoulder/neck. prolonged AM stiff, fever & Hi CRP/ESR - none had hip pain. 4/5 were male, w/ mean age of 55 yrs. None were RF/CCP+ https://t.co/SsLVEyL8X8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Treating During Pregnancy (11.14.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal articles, news and guidelines from this past week on RheumNow.com

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In 2024, 77 pts referred to Rheum for possible PMR were ultimately Dx w/ B19 viral infx. 96% had arthralgia & 7% had PMR-like features (5/5 w/ BL shoulder/neck. prolonged AM stiff, fever & Hi CRP/ESR - none had hip pain. 4/5 were male, w/ mean age of 55 yrs. None were RF/CCP+ https://t.co/AiK2K9whBH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
#GCA & #PMR @ACRheum #ACR25 #gamechangers #ACRBest Yr 2 Select-GCA abst#776 #upadacitinib in yr2 of GCA REDUCES flares HELPFUL info ?ability to get drug for 2 yrs hopefully Failed Phase3 RCT of #secukinumab in #GCA helped #PMR abst#1175 & +Ph3 for PMR REPLENISH RCT @RheumNow https://t.co/5lH6HXhnfg

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Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
The next VEXAS, but also maybe we can treat it? IDH1/2 Another clonal hematopoesis known to cause heme malignancy, but also some inflamm sequelae (autoinflamm-like e.g. PMR/GCA) & you can directly inhibit it Wow. We will hear more #ACR25 LB21 @RheumNow https://t.co/WL2ai5zb8Q https://t.co/Yi31xkhLO9

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David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
PMR patients need healthcare professionals who know a bit about their disease. Survey of US HCPs, amongst responders: - 68% were not aware/unsure about PMR - of those who were aware, knowledge was… not great (see below) PMR needs everyone’s respect #ACR25 ABST1617 @RheumNow https://t.co/SpyEnAW8lI

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David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
REPLENISH - Secukinumab Works in Polymyalgia Rheumatica Novartis announced the results of their REPLENISH trial showing the efficacy of secukinumab (Cosentyx) (SEC) in adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). https://t.co/CLmCdBXiOf https://t.co/z20nWd2NSM

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
#1627 SLR informing the 2025 @eular_org recommendations for PMR & LVV 🔍 141 studies (30 RCTs) reviewed: new & further evidence for IL-6, JAK & B-cell-targeted therapies. Data will underpin updated management guidance. @RheumNow #ACR25

Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )

#1614 Another SLR informing the 2025 EULAR recommendations for PMR & LVV 🧭 Fast-track clinics cut blindness & diagnostic delays; multimodal imaging pathways outperform biopsy alone. Key data shaping future referral & diagnosis guidance. @RheumNow #ACR25

Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )

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ACR25 - Day 1 Report

Jack Cush, MD

ACR 2025 began today in Chicago with throngs of rheumatologists, fellows, ARP members, APPs and pharma folk taking to the meeting halls and rooms for tons of novel content. 

The annual meeting began with a great "Year in Review" featuring Drs.

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In case there was any doubt: GCA leads to ischemic vision loss PMR does not #ACR25 ABST0753 @RheumNow https://t.co/mCS9B4Flgl

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David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
Project from my group & rheum-bound resident Mary Peng! As expected, ischemic vision loss for GCA compared to PMR (HR 5.4) and gen pop (HR 5.6) 😬 NO difference for PMR vs gen pop (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.86–1.41) Reassuring for pts w/PMR! #ACR25 @RheumNow Abstr#0753 #ACRBest https://t.co/HKzc7OOzmP

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Mike Putman @EBRheum( View Tweet )
🔥 Hot off the press Prof John Stone shares results from Phase 3 of REPLENISH, out only a few days ago, in which secukinumab met all primary endpoints in treatment of PMR. https://t.co/RlcQWybKrR #ACR25 @RheumNow https://t.co/ucNt2HxJpW

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Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )
REPLENISH - Secukinumab Works in Polymyalgia Rheumatica Novartis announced the results of their REPLENISH trial showing the efficacy of secukinumab (Cosentyx) (SEC) in adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). https://t.co/qa9RzmNFU4 https://t.co/dCEkelJzni

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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REPLENISH - Secukinumab Works in Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Jack Cush, MD

Novartis announced the results of their REPLENISH trial showing the efficacy of secukinumab in adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

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Methylprednisolone plus Methotrexate in Giant Cell Arteritis

Jack Cush, MD

What is the optimal glucocorticoids (GC) regimen in giant cell arteritis (GCA)? Does methotrexate (MTX) work in GCA?  

A multicenter trial from Spain shows equivalent outcomes when GCA patients were treated with a combination of intravenous methyl-prednisolone (IVMP) pulse

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Recent Blogs

Best of 2023: PMR: glad or bad tidings?

Sarah Mackie, MRCP, PhD
Smile feedback opinion yes no good back opinion
Please don’t tell your patient that PMR “typically” lasts two years. According to real-world data from the UK, one in four patients with PMR is prescribed steroids by their primary care physician for over four years. But nobody tells them this at the start, and that causes big problems later on. Read Post

Advancing PMR

Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH
Dr. Eric Matteson
Even though polymyalgia rheumatica is not perceived by many physicians as a severe diagnosis, its diagnosis and management actually propose significant challenges. I'd like to talk about those challenges, and what directions our path forward can include to advance our understanding and improve the treatment of patients who have PMR. Read Post
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Rx Updates (filtered for Topic)

Therapeutic Updates

The Impact of Obesity on Psoriatic Arthritis

Sponsored by Lilly Medical Affairs
A person indoors raises one arm in a flexed pose while holding the elbow with the opposite hand, with a sofa and light curtains in the background
Obesity is common in PsA and may worsen disease activity and reduce treatment effectiveness through shared inflammatory pathways. Weight intervention may improve outcomes and support achievement of targets of disease control.
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