Adjunctive Prednisolone for Kawasaki Disease
An NEJM study has shown that glucocorticoids provide no added benefit when added to standard primary treatment in Kawasaki disease patients.
Read Article
Retrospective study of 374 newly diagnosed microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) pts - 97 (26%) had severe infections w/in 6 mos - signif higher risk w/ high dose prednisone & chronic lung Dz. most common: bacterial (43%) & lung infx https://t.co/XXAxUZw7kx https://t.co/atK8Ob9zyQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retrospective clinicopathologic review of 170 AORTIC surgical pathology cases (2009-16) - showed 87% w/ atherosclerosis, 13% aortitis/periaortitis and 2.4% atherosclerosis w/ excessive inflammation. Lymphoplasmacytic inflammation was most common w/ aortitis/periaortitis. https://t.co/CuP30dqRQU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Asia-Pacific Lupus study of Mucocutaneous activity (MC-A) in 4102 SLE pts. 36% had MC-A (rash 1055; alopecia 731; m ulcers 352); 15% persistently. MC-A assoc w/ W, smoking, +serologies, vasculitis, myositis, serositis, nephritis, NP-SLE https://t.co/XeBc4DJon9 https://t.co/n2wAq2OIGt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Update on Primary CNS Angiitis
The Journal of Neurology has posted a review and update of Primary CNS vasculitis (PCNSV), also termed primary angiitis of the CNS (PACNS). PCNSV is rare, potentially fatal, and highly treatable, making timely recognition and accurate diagnosis https://t.co/cjGX1ig8Lp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Update on Primary CNS Angiitis
The Journal of Neurology has posted a review and update of Primary CNS vasculitis (PCNSV), also termed primary angiitis of the CNS (PACNS). PCNSV is rare, potentially fatal, and highly treatable, making timely recognition and accurate diagnosis critical.
Read Article
FDA Safety Warning: Avacopan and Serious Liver Injury
Yesterday the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication alerting patients and health care professionals about postmarketing identification of serious (drug induced) liver injury, including fatal cases, associated with the use of avacopan (Tavneos) in patients with ANCA- associated vasculitis.
Read Article
Moral Distress (3.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal reports and news from RheumNow.com. This week we discuss moral distress, FM in PsA, Lyme Vax is back & hidden but tangible benefits of the MDHAQ.
Read Article
Retrospective Japanese study of 544 pts w/ GPA or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) followed > 48 wks; only 29 (5.3%) achieved steroid free remission (GFCR) at wk 48. Predictors of GFCR: rituximab induction (OR 3.9) & avacopan use (OR 24.3). MP pulse RX had lower likelihood of GFCR https://t.co/EMRqA5oHJQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheumatology Pitfalls (3.20.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the regulatory actions, news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
Read Article
Hydralazine and the Rare Risk of Vasculitis
Since the 1980s, hydralazine has been a notable cause of drug-induced lupus, and inferred to cause vasculitis as well. A retrospective cohort study from Canada has shown that vasculitis resulting from hydralazine is possible, but https://t.co/ewqCesatbm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Hydralazine and the Rare Risk of Vasculitis
Since the 1980s, hydralazine has been a notable cause of drug-induced lupus, and inferred to cause vasculitis as well. A retrospective cohort study from Canada has shown
UBER Rheumatology Ride (3.6.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com
Read Article
Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
I recently attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Anisha Dua on progress in the diagnosis and treatment of large-vessel vasculitis, with a focus on giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. She opened with what felt like the most honest “state of the union” slide you can show a room
Read Article
What did you miss at RheumNow Live 2026?
Our Poster Hall features new data across:
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Lupus Nephritis
• Vasculitis
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Axial Spondyloarthritis
From Phase III trials to real-world evidence, these https://t.co/nuXGUdmwon
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Is Giant cell arteritis over diagnosed or over-referred? Caution IF the patient is: 1) under age 50yrs; 2) has Hx of chronic HA or migraine; 3) has normal ESR/CRP. Why not consider screen w/ Giant Cell Arteritis Probability Score (needing 9.5/32 points) https://t.co/qnCWgzjYJ4 https://t.co/LT6atm0m8f
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diagnosing and Managing GCA and Takayasu’s Arteritis
Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) are both large-vessel vasculitides, but each brings its own diagnostic and management challenges. Many of the difficulties overlap because they are rare, https://t.co/ePJqcMjcBA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diagnosing and Managing GCA and Takayasu’s Arteritis
Giant-cell arteritis and Takayasu’s arteritis are both large-vessel vasculitides, but each brings its own diagnostic and management challenges. Many of the difficulties overlap because they are rare, heterogeneous, and lack perfect diagnostic tests or specific biomarkers.
Read Article
What did you miss at RheumNow Live 2026?
Our Poster Hall features new data across:
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Lupus Nephritis
• Vasculitis
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Axial Spondyloarthritis
From Phase III trials to real-world evidence, these
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The vasculitis session at #RNL26 was a fantastic update on inflamed blood vessels, large and small, by two experts in the field.
https://t.co/KuVei8jiFu https://t.co/PR4h2qniEL
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Vasculitis
Sunday’s vasculitis session at RNL26 was a fantastic update on inflamed blood vessels, large and small, by two experts in the field: rheumatologist Dr. Mike Putman and dermatopathologist Dr. Clay Cockerell.
Read Article
FDA vs. Amgen: At Odds Over Avacopan
The FDA has requested that Amgen voluntarily withdraw avacopan (Tavneos), a treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, but the company said it has no plans to pull the drug from the market. https://t.co/v5AYm6r53W
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NEJM: Aortitis Due to Large-Vessel Vasculitis
63yoM w/ Hx HTN c/o 3 mos of CP, palpitations, abdominal pain. ESR-104, CRP 85 mg/L. CT showed thickening of the thoracic & abdominal aorta. After 6wks Rx w/ AZA, HCQ, Pred, ESR/CRP still high and pt stared on SC TCZ w/ improvement. https://t.co/1TBreptAFr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada
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). https://t.co/7hIpn6CJXg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com
Read ArticleTherapeutic Updates
A review of two physician case reports. These cases are patients who presented with severe active manifestations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).
Read Post
Poster Hall
Recent Blogs
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
Read Post
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
Narratives around polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) often centre around “older people” or even “elderly”. And, indeed, the peak of the age distribution is in the mid-70s – not that everyone that age considers themselves old. Treating “young PMR” can be a very different proposition to treating someone in their seventies or eighties. It’s worth taking time to think this through.
Read Post
Podcasts
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day3b-
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day2a
-
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day1c
