APPs in the News (12.5.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, including info on scleroderma, dermatomyositis and malignancy, rheumatologist and APP salary concerns.
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Hematologic Malignancies Increased in Systemic Sclerosis
Swedish national study found that among a cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients a two-fold increase risk of hematological malignancies was seen.
https://t.co/K1WuMC0mXI https://t.co/MGkvwESqIe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TriNetX retrospective cohort study of 1402 propensity matched Systemic Sclerosis pts on vs off SGLT2 inhib (2013-2025) & found SGLT2i significantly lowered all-cause mortality (HR 0.54), stroke (HR 0.64), & hospitalizations (HR 0.76), moreso in SSc without Hx of CHF (HR 0.62) https://t.co/CVkRJegei9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Hematologic Malignancies Increased in Systemic Sclerosis
Swedish national study found that among a cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients a two-fold increase risk of hematological malignancies was seen.
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Organ Involvement with Behçet’s
A review of patient data from the International AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) Network registry identifying those with mucocutaneous Behçet’s disease (BD) may progres to major organ involvement (MOI)m especially at later stages. https://t.co/jqM4IZuobe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Abstract 1563: Ongoing Phase 1/2 trial of Rese-cel CAR-T in systemic sclerosis
🔹Pt with severe skin involvement showed improvement in mRSS (42→34), PFTs & nailfold capillaroscopy at 6 mo
🔹Grade 2 CRS, no ICANS or DLT reported
Early but exciting findings
@RheumNow #ACR25
Akhil Sood MD, MS @AkhilSoodMD( View Tweet )
Dr. LRoss presents the SCTC SSc Heart Involvement classification criteria
♥️Criteria score >/= 11pts
🔸SN 77.8%; SP 95.9%
🔸OR 82.6
Huge endeavor towards standardization of SHI to help improve patient outcomes in the future 👏👏
#ACR25 @RheumNow https://t.co/QrgYlksjZB
Links:
sheila @RHEUMarampa( View Tweet )
#1725 Functional NOTCH4 variants contribute to vasculopathy & fibrosis in SSc, particularly in African-American patients
NOTCH4 hyperactivation disrupts angiogenesis & drives EndoMT; inhibition (including with FDA-approved Nirogacestat) restores vascular repair @RheumNow #ACR25
Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )
Sun et al. Telitacicept in SARD-ILD (pSS, ASS, RA). 25 patients. Improvements in CT, PFTs, 6MWT. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstr#1361 https://t.co/q679LOaOyL
Richard Conway @RichardPAConway( View Tweet )
Who with #SSc-ILD will progress?
progression is non linear - can stabilize and worsen
Search for Predictive biomarker
For clinical care & enriching RCTs
Maybe #KL6 🤷♀️
Maybe IP-10, MIG
No strong #biomarker
Depends on what is used
#ACR25 @RheumNow @ACRheum
Abst#0882 #0883 https://t.co/lyTRUEY9SI
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Don’t forget
👇
#lcSSc Pts can get and progress #ILD
1/3 of #limited #cutaneous #systemic #sclerosis #scleroderma GET ILD
From #EUSTAR
>14% progress
Esp +Scl70
Remember to screen #CREST Pts
& allow these Pts into lung disease trials
#ACR25 @RheumNow @ACRheum abst#0879 https://t.co/X15tUgClzN
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Pregnancy risk in Sjögren’s & scleroderma
Meta-analysis (n=4,820) shows ↑ risk of miscarriage in Sjögren’s (RR 1.8) & ↑ preterm birth in SSc (RR 2.4).
Calls for preconception counseling & multidisciplinary high-risk OB care.
@RheumNow #ACR25 Abstract #1398
Jiha Lee @JihaRheum( View Tweet )
Rheumatology’s Blind Spot: The Persistent Exclusion of Older Adults
As the population ages globally, rheumatologists are caring for an increasingly older patient population more than ever before. In RA alone, nearly 40 percent of patients are now aged 65 years or older. Yet the evidence guiding our treatment decisions continues to come from studies that rarely
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ACR Convergence 2025 Sheds Light on Disparities, Age-Related Trends, and Epidemiology in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
ACR Press Release
At ACR Convergence 2025, new research explored critical disparities and epidemiologic trends shaping outcomes in autoimmune rheumatic diseases across diverse populations and age groups. Studies presented at the meeting highlighted issues ranging from kidney transplant outcomes in lupus to
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#Cancers esp #hematologic & #lung are ⬆️in Pts w #inflammatory #rheum #diseases
Odds ratios of hem malignancies are wide
& risk stratification is imp
Are we doing a good job?
🤔skin cancer screening ??- not as per general standards
Abst#0172 #ACR25 @RheumNow @ACRheum https://t.co/Uve9knXD3o
Links:
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Pre-ACR25 (10.24.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and info reports the day before ACR 2025
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12 yr study of 115 Systemic Sclerosis pts shows Finger-to-palm distance (tip 4th finger to distal palmar crease) may be a useful tool for predicting the progression of skin thickening and the development of digital ulcers in the early stages of severe SSc https://t.co/brCEz5Fqac https://t.co/tiVBdfH39q
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Skin Biopsies to Predict Scleroderma Outcomes?
Researchers from the Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Cornell Medicine have shown that skin biopsies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) can define a fibroblast immunophenotype that may have prognostic and early treatment decision impact.
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Detection, Monitoring & Management of Autoimmune ILD
The American Journal of Managed Care has reviewed the approach to patients with ILD; a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in those with SARDs, including RA, SSc, and IIM.
https://t.co/xtRfLNyZA6 https://t.co/S9JFlMd9CN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
High-Resolution CT in CTD-Interstitial Lung Disease
A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosing and characterizing interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). https://t.co/9FmEe6BgN7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
High-Resolution CT in CTD-Interstitial Lung Disease
A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosing and characterizing interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). The study analyzed 23 studies published between 2015-2024,
Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
While we know there are certain clinical features serving as predictors that patients with SSc may develop ILD, including diffuse skin disease and serologies such as anti-Scl-70 and Th/To antibodies, it is imperative that clinicians consider that any patient, particularly early in their disease
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What you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis
What do you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis as a practicing rheumatologist? Here are takeaways from these guidelines and my practice.
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How to assess ILD in your patients?
Have a high index of suspicion in your patients with connective tissue disease (especially systemic sclerosis, inflammatory myositis), and rheumatoid arthritis. All patients with CTD may develop ILD but it is more common (% of patients with https://t.co/UXdvPJCqDi
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Why shall we screen all patients with SSc for ILD?
Focusing screening strategy on patients « at risk » misses 25% of patients with ILD
ILD being the main cause of mortality in SSc
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/djzCTdZoVb
Aurelie Najm @AurelieRheumo( View Tweet )
Recent Blogs
Will the results of two recent large scleroderma lung studies finally inform us on how to manage interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis?
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