Rheumatology: Believe It or Not (4/25/2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Should we believe the reviews and metanalyses?
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NEW ACR 2024 POSTER: Phase 3 KEEPsAKE 1 and 2 post hoc analyses of time to first response with an IL-23i
View the latest data on time to first efficacy responses and PROs in patients with active PsA. Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact. https://t.co/3QTurnvokp https://t.co/BYHsLWfpiG
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IL-17 inhibitors increase risk of IBD. TriNetX database study of PsO & AS pts starting IL-17i vs apremilast. 13,216 matched pts per group, 142 developed IBD w/ IL-17i vs. 60 with apremilast (aHR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.85–3.39). https://t.co/sSPqKsfbZ4 https://t.co/YCqDUzX9xq
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An emulation trial shows that Humira biosimilars (Amjevita & Imraldi) were equivalent to Humira in psoriasis & achieving PASI <=2, both for new biologic starts and for biologic switchers. https://t.co/8lTGGs2rbP https://t.co/T6rTJ5ESj2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2025 BSR Guideline for Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
The British Society of Rheumatology has published its 2025 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA); addressing axial and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations including acute anterior uveitis, psoriasis and IBD. They address the effectiveness and safety of
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Ultrasound lesions of dactylitis associ w/short-term development of PsA. Study of 64 PsO +arthralgia pts. IUS PD synovitis & B mode enthesitis predicted PsA Dx (p < .001) w/ an accuracy of 89.1 %, a sensitivity of 86.7 % and a specificity of 89.8 %. https://t.co/KoXMmoxXhP https://t.co/tj2NxKDkqh
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The Increasing Cost of First-Line Biologics for Plaque Psoriasis
A national commercial claims analysis of first-line use of biologics in biologic−naive plaque psoriasis patients found a near doubling of net treatment costs from 2007 to 2021 ($21 236 to $47 125). Despite the https://t.co/mWXz2o0mwz
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An emulation trial shows that Humira biosimilars (Amjevita & Imraldi) were equivalent to Humira in psoriasis & achieving PASI <=2, both for new biologic starts and for biologic switchers. https://t.co/zLnPbtXKie https://t.co/ispbmxd8dv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Osteoarthritis Risky Business (4.18.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and Journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com. Osteoarthritis patients have unique risks and synovial fluid WBC numbers can tell you when to worry about septic arthritis in gout and pseudogout patients.
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The Increasing Cost of First-Line Biologics for Plaque Psoriasis
A national commercial claims analysis of first-line use of biologics in biologic−naive plaque psoriasis patients found a near doubling of net treatment costs from 2007 to 2021 ($21 236 to $47 125). Despite the increasing costs, the 2021 average cost could have been 44% lower if the lowest-
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Ultrasound lesions of dactylitis associ w/short-term development of PsA. Study of 64 PsO +arthralgia pts. IUS PD synovitis & B mode enthesitis predicted PsA Dx (p < .001) w/ an accuracy of 89.1 %, a sensitivity of 86.7 % and a specificity of 89.8 %. https://t.co/Ij6oYP1TuK https://t.co/55sO4uFXNI
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Phase 2, DBRPCT of nanobody anti-IL-17, izokibep in 172 Psoriatic arthritis pts, showed higher ACR50 rates for izokibep 80mg vs PBO at wk 16 (52% vs 13%; p=0.0006) w/ 40mg=48%. Other arthritis, psoriasis, enthesitis, dactylitis, QOL outcomes also improved.https://t.co/CQn9EVjr9g https://t.co/vVnTo2FPV6
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2nd Opinions in Rheumatology
https://t.co/R4CjJHEaL4 https://t.co/0quDwdANyU
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Bimekizumab efficacy and safety in patients with psoriatic arthritis who had skin and nail psoriasis at baseline: Up to 2-year results from two phase 3 studies
Sponsored by UCB
https://t.co/461bFRZwjw
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EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Korean insurance claims study (2008–2021) 183,212 psoriasis & PsA pts, found Biologic Rx assoc w/ lower risk of new-onset & recurrent MACEs vs phototherapy (adj HR, 0.45 & 0.34). Nonbiologic systemic Rx lowered MACE risk (v photoRx) only in pts w/ prior Hx MACE (0.79) https://t.co/1RC8bMSZJ3
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Korean insurance claims study (2008–2021) 183,212 psoriasis & PsA pts, found Biologic Rx assoc w/ lower risk of new-onset & recurrent MACEs vs phototherapy (adj HR, 0.45 & 0.34). Nonbiologic systemic Rx lowered MACE risk (v photoRx) only in pts w/ prior Hx MACE (0.79) https://t.co/08wNm1AbpC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Topline results from Phase 3b APEX study, comparing guselkumab to placebo in biologic naive #PsA pts - showed significant improvement by ACR20 and significantly less Xray progression of structural damage (vs PB) at Week 24 https://t.co/YkUspqd92h https://t.co/cmAUWaScri
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Diagnostic delays and Undertreatment of Psoriatic Arthritis
New research from the University of Bath in the UK reveals delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of psoriatic arthritis often results in irreversible damage to joints.
https://t.co/AyaxUXJs8n https://t.co/9x9GhnTR1Y
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Topline results from Phase 3b APEX study, comparing guselkumab to placebo in biologic naive #PsA pts - showed significant improvement by ACR20 and significantly less Xray progression of structural damage (vs PB) at Week 24 https://t.co/0Ra8eUeBOi https://t.co/0dwOSxjVxs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Topline results from Phase 3b APEX study, comparing guselkumab to placebo in biologic naive #PsA pts - showed significant improvement by ACR20 and significantly less Xray progression of structural damage (vs PB) at Week 24 https://t.co/7sY1sX9B3O https://t.co/EislRI5WAy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
An Epidural Letdown (4.4.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Review article shows that in psoriasis pts, adding #MTX to TNFi increases efficacy, but there is limited data on adding MTX to either IL-17 or IL-23. But in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), adding MTX provides no added efficacy compared to biologic monotherapy https://t.co/FiSFIjpsXo https://t.co/ComFg253u9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diagnostic delays and Undertreatment of Psoriatic Arthritis
EurekAlert!
New research from the University of Bath in the UK reveals delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of psoriatic arthritis often results in irreversible damage to joints.
Delays in diagnosing and treating psoriatic arthritis – a common inflammatory disorder affecting 112 in every 100,000
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Targeting Obesity in Rheumatic Disease Patients
Sattar et al. has published an informative overview of the effect of obesity on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). They estimate that nearly 70% of RMD patients are overweight or obese.
https://t.co/OYtsbfJQ2e https://t.co/xEZI3mkY0q
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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