Do You Zoster Vaccinate? (6.19.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and best ways to review EULAR 2026.
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EULAR 2026 Recommendations on PMR, GCA, and Takayasu Arteritis
On the final day of EULAR, Mukhtyar et al (on behalf of a large international task force) presented the updated EULAR recommendations for management of PMR, GCA, and TAK. There were 5 overarching principles and 12 https://t.co/kpykylEbsr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR 2026 Recommendations on PMR, GCA, and Takayasu Arteritis
On the final day of EULAR 2026, Mukhtyar et al (on behalf of a large international task force) presented the updated EULAR recommendations for management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). There were 5 overarching principles and 12
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Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoid use in AAV and GCA
Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of initial therapy for AAV and GCA—quickly reducing inflammation and preserving organs. EULAR has issued recommendations on glucocorticoid use in ANCA‑associated and https://t.co/hIOKyXDxyb
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EULAR 2026 Rheumatology RoundUp
It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.
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Day 4 EULAR Report
The last day in London was exciting as both the Late-Breaking abstracts and new EULAR guidelines were presented. Guidelines presented addressed several significant unmet need areas including PMR, GCA, Takayasu’s arteritis, Vaccinations in Rheumatic patients, Imaging in spondyloarthritis and
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Prospective study of RVZ immunogenicity = heterogeneous cellular immunity across RMDs
12mo 150 pts
-CD4+ gE-T-cell response peaks mo 3
-Response seen in axSpA + GCA, but not RA
-25% of patients no CMI increase after vaccination
Consistent w/other vaccine cellular imm profiles https://t.co/yvDLSHh4Bj
Aurelie Najm @AurelieRheumo( View Tweet )
Day 2 Report from EULAR 2026
Day two at EULAR 2026 was jammed with sessions on advances in immune checkpoint inhhbitors (and irAEs), Lupus, Scleroderma, RA and IgG4 related disease. Here are a few of my favorites from Day 2.
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Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoid use in AAV and GCA
2026 EULAR Press Release
Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of initial vasculitis treatment, used to rapidly control inflammation and protect vital organs. EULAR has recommendations that cover glucocorticoid use in ANCA associated vasculitides (AAV) and large vessel vasculitis, including giant cell arteritis (GCA).1,2
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#EULAR2026 OP028 In 16 patients with AID (SSc,IIM, RA, IgG4,SjD, Grave’s), CD3xBCMA BiTE, Teclistamab was effective in 15/16. Duration of GC & DMARD-free was 11 mths. 2/16 need retreatment. All had low IgG and needed IVIG. Need long-term safety data & comparative study @RheumNow https://t.co/97MUPnXRua
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof @Yuz6Yusof( View Tweet )
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (May 2026)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a collection of Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, and other CTD skin disorders. Dermatology drugs, biologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy, and https://t.co/0AEAxadBFT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Quiz Talk (5.22.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush talks of birthdays, Quizzes and journal articles this week on the podcast.
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Kissei Pharmaceuticals announced 20 deaths related to receiving avacopan (Tavneos), a vasculitis drug sold by the firm in Japan. Drug was released in June 2022, since its been given to ~8,500 pts. Avacopan safety is being reviewed by FDA with Amgen. https://t.co/ri0nROCL5U https://t.co/jbksrWMFwI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ANCA-Assoc. Vasculitis has great Rx optionis, BUT still no reliable biomaker to predict relapse or renal outcomes, this includes IL-6. But there is hope for CD163 in the future. https://t.co/lFyfTPj5vG https://t.co/wLfOPz76JC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EGPA Review
A current review of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) provides current recommendations on diagnosis and management.
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ANCA assoc. pachymeningitis (AAP) is rare. 230 systemic vasculitis, from 177 reports (108 MPO+, 71 PR3+); age~60; HA & cranial neuropathy (hearing/visual loss, diplopia) common. 89% w/ systemic Sxs (ENT, lungs, orbits, kidneys). Look for abnl ESR/CRP, CSF https://t.co/bHQegYYl5V https://t.co/hpfu8iaIkx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
24 systemic amyloidosis pts (AA type 46%, AL 29%); 62% joint pain & AM stiff, axial 37.5%, macroglossia (4 pts, 17%), carpal tunnel (12%), proteinuria > 1 gm 50%, CKD 21%, Cardiac amyloid 29%. Amyloid was secondary to Rheum Dx in 11/24. Better survival w/ AA than AL (91% vs https://t.co/hwkpeav4MQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA Targeting the Safety of Avacopan
The future of avacopan is up in the air. In April, the FDA issued a drug safety warning, previously requesting that Amgen to pull its rare disease drug Tavneos from the market. Now, there appears more pressure to remove it from the market.
The FDA’s concern is that the data, orginally
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GI involvement occurs in 37-65% of adult IgA (IgAV) cases, w/ Sxs of abdominal pain, hematochezia, severe complications of perforation & ischemia. Dx w/ CRP, NLR, D-dimer, imaging (CT, endoscopy). Steroids w/ Mod-to-severe Dz. MMF or IVIG for refractory cases. https://t.co/vgvZnYXIOI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Follow the Money (4.23.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush follows the money and all the news that fits the Rheumatology Gab for this past week.
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Aspirin Cardiovascular Prevention in Giant Cell Arteritis
A retrospective target trial emulations has shown that low-dose aspirin (ASA) given with a giant cell arteritis (GCA) diagnosis is associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), but a higher https://t.co/dpGzjKZYkA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Aspirin Cardiovascular Prevention in Giant Cell Arteritis
A retrospective target trial emulations has shown that low-dose aspirin (ASA) given with a giant cell arteritis (GCA) diagnosis is associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), but a higher risk of GI bleeding.
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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 )
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.
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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).
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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Podcasts
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day3b-
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day2a
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ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day1c
