Rheumatoid Arthritis

Systematic review of 21 papers (23K RA pts) finds 12% w/ difficult-to-treat RA. Risk factors -- smoking (OR 1·16), obesity (1·38), FM (2·20) & depression (1·74). No assoc w/ current smoking or anxiety. https://t.co/BHxyEbSg8Y

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Upadacitinib is now approved in European Union to treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) ages > 2yrs for those not responding to 1+ DMARDs. In the USA, UPA is approved for pJIA & juvenile PsA https://t.co/Vhx717rw5T https://t.co/OBMdjsegIq

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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The weight is off, the DMARDs are off - now what?

David Liew, FRACP

That promised land of substantive weight loss comes within it the illusion of better disease control and, for inflammatory arthritis patients, the possibility of reducing the burden of regular medicines - often driven by the patient, with or without telling you. It is a dream worth aspiring to

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Long-term F/U of T2T Artic trial. 230 DMARD naive pts, 84% ACPA+ 179 (82%) in 10 yr F/U & 82% were in DAS < 1.6 remission 10 yrs later w/ only 17% w/ Xray progression. ~50% on csDMARDs, 30% on bDMARDs. Early aggressive works! https://t.co/ASRrIZqfS5 https://t.co/SykEI4QjPa

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
diet,greek,mediterranean,salad

Mediterranean Diet Lowers Incident Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk

Jack Cush, MD

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published the results of the SUN Project study, showing that long-term adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) was associated with a substantially lower risk of incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but not psoriasis. 

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Residual steroids doesnt preserve remission. Japan FRANK #RA registry 411/3,863 were in Boolean remission - 130 on GC vs 231 non-GC (1/3 on b/tsDMARDs). Roughly 1/3 flared to LDA @12 mos. Outcomes same for GC vs non-GC Rx pts. https://t.co/xPctEjFCLT https://t.co/YIHFaQkzeO

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Obesity and Psoriatic Disease Obesity is a clinically important comorbidity in psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Excess adiposity contributes to systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic risk and may adversely affect disease severity and response to some systemic https://t.co/WVIqfq8vEj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Systematic review 14 studies assessed Lung ultrasound (LUS) (vs HRCT) to detect RA-ILD (using threshold of ≥ 5 B-lines) found sensitivity was 86.8% (95% CI 80.1–91.4), specificity 75.4% (95% CI 62.3–85.1), and AUC 0.890 https://t.co/GlNpsPBwtS https://t.co/I4mITEqBI6

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Lifestyle and Incretin Therapy Advice for Rheumatologists As GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists become standard co-management tools for obese patients with RA, PsA, axSpA, and gout, this JAMA Insights perspective reframes lifestyle counseling as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy - a https://t.co/ltPdGEgQ60
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Rheumatology Pay Up (9.25.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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

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It’s almost time. 🔥 Registration for RheumNow Live 2027 opens OCTOBER 1. Two days of practical, engaging rheumatology education designed to challenge how you think and influence how you practice. 📅 Jan 30–31, 2027 📍 Dallas + Online https://t.co/Ju0zzYX8Tl
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Early RA Referral Clinics Work (9.18.2026) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on https://t.co/ofGKCCNQnE https://t.co/fn0L4goAMT https://t.co/F8QKs7261x

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Obesity in Rheumatic Diseases: More than just a Comorbidity https://t.co/0QJ188HYSm https://t.co/3L09m2cowl

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Systematic review 14 studies assessed Lung ultrasound (LUS) (vs HRCT) to detect RA-ILD (using threshold of ≥ 5 B-lines) found sensitivity was 86.8% (95% CI 80.1–91.4), specificity 75.4% (95% CI 62.3–85.1), and AUC 0.890 https://t.co/GlNpsPBwtS https://t.co/FJ6B5E5CWy

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Phenotypic cluster analysis of 134 CPPD pts from COLCHICORT & CHRONIC-CPPD European cohorts ID 4 Grps: 1) C1 monoarticular recurrent flares, older, W, ^CRP; 2) C2 monoarticular w persistent arthritis; 3) C3 polyarthritis lower CRP; 4) C4 polyarticular (spine/shoulder( & recurrent https://t.co/ghMCmDLCki
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
True or False: The TriNetX retrospective study found that JAK inhibitors significantly increased VTE risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing hip or knee replacement compared to TNF inhibitors. Check your knowledge in the latest RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/LHFv1P6XZe.

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Nurse_0.jpg

Lifestyle and Incretin Therapy Advice for Rheumatologists

Jack Cush, MD

As GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists become standard co-management tools for obese patients with RA, PsA, axSpA, and gout, this JAMA Insights perspective by Kushner, et al. reframes lifestyle counseling as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy - a reversal of the traditional model. This has with direct

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True or False: According to a metanalysis of 87 studies, higher BMI and smoking were linked to reduced methotrexate efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis. Check your knowledge in the latest RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/LHFv1P6XZe.

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Discussing Weight Loss: 3 Minute Script Dr. Jack Cush's 3 Minute Script as discussed in his Introducing Weight Loss video. https://t.co/JRWAPc5if5 https://t.co/jI65VzTIfs

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Obesity and Rheumatic Disease Presented as part of RheumNow's "The Obesity Imperative" campaign. https://t.co/d2fl4EJX8Q https://t.co/AZGfKRvZrx

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Early RA Referral Clinics Work (9.18.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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

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Metanalysis of 87 studies shows predictors of #MTX response: early Dz, low dz activity, early MTX initiation, and absence of erosive disease. Smoking and higher BMI were linked to reduced efficacy. https://t.co/OfB09aHNOS https://t.co/4UiOgfW940

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Early RA Referral Clinics Work! An outcomes study from the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic (EAC) has shown substantially less diagnostic delay and better long-term outcomes when patients are referred to EAC compared to usual referrals. https://t.co/6vGd0S0V1W https://t.co/2ATEMRhtMM

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Indian study of 85 #RA pts in LDA or better (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2). W/ 6 mos F/U, 39 (46%) had 1+ RA flare (DAS28 > 3.2); time to flare 12 wks (8–18) unrelate to Dz activity. Predictors: seropositivity (HR 2-2.3) https://t.co/ifqeoPtxpx https://t.co/ltx64X55fd

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Single center study of FALLs in 124 ambulatory RA females ≥50 yrs.(age 68 yrs, DAS28 2.6, sarcopenia 16%, prior fall 25%). 27.4% had falls; predicted by prior fall hx (OR 2.76, hypnotics/anxiolytics (3.92), not steroids or sarcopenia (NS trend) https://t.co/J62RPF9rQs https://t.co/OKxdPl5Oev

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Therapeutic Updates

Make Rheum for Rads: Autoimmune ILD Diagnosis, Monitoring, and the Patient Experience

Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ild
Drs. Elizabeth Volkmann and Robert Suh explore the roles rheumatologists and radiologists play in diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune ILD and hear from a patient about her experience.
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A JAKi After TNFi Failure in RA: SELECT-SWITCH at Week 12

Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
AbbVie August RX Update
Dr. Christina Charles-Schoeman and Dr. Manish Jain are back to discuss treatment considerations after TNFi failure in RA. Join them as they review the latest data from SELECT-SWITCH, including post hoc results in primary and secondary nonresponders presented at EULAR 2026.
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Recent Blogs

rheumthought

Treatment for Obesity and Inflammation, but at what Cost?

Jonathan Kay, MD
Kay RT cover still

The costs of GLP-1 agonists must come down in order to make these treatments available to the people who need them - including many people with rheumatologic diseases. 

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rheumthought

Obesity in Rheumatic Diseases: More than just a Comorbidity

Marina Magrey, MD
Magrey RT cover image
A few years ago, when I would see a patient with rheumatic disease and increased BMI, I would often document it as obesity as a comorbidity, recommend weight loss and exercise, and then move on. My approach has changed.
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Advanced Practice Rheum

Safety of Biologics and Novel Agents

Jack Cush, MD
APR Safety Video Cover
Dr. Jack Cush reviews safety of biologics and novel agents.
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Podcasts

  • EULAR 2026 RA Topic Panel
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