Articles By Jack Cush, MD
Best of 2025: Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used DMARD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, there is significant intolerance to this drug among adult RA patients - especially at doses above 15 mg per week.
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Nerandomilast FDA Approved for Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis
The FDA has approved nerandomilast (Jascayd), a PDE4b inhibitor, to treat adults with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Nerandomilast was approved to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IFP) in October 2025.
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Best of 2025: Overview of the VEXAS Syndrome
A current systematic review in Rheumatology addresses the clinical features seen in the VEXAS syndrome.
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Telling You Where to Go (12.19.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. Who would've thunk - a PsA FMF connection? Labs to diagnose SSc-ILD? IgA-RF may be important or RZV may not work in JAK inhibitor treated patients?
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Disease Activity Criteria for Adult-Onset Still's Disease: EULAR Points to Consider
EULAR has published a "points to consider" (PtCs) guidance on the development of criteria for the assessment of the disease activity in adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD).
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ACR: New Data Highlights Urgent Need to Address Arthritis Burden
New findings from national U.S. surveys reveal the profound impact of arthritis on millions of adults, especially those facing social and economic challenges. These data will be featured in an upcoming issue of Arthritis Care & Research, an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
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Role of the Nurse in the Care and Management of Rheumatic Diseases - EULAR Review
In 2023, a EULAR subcommittee set out to assess the roles of nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in the care of arthritis as outlined in published EULAR guidelines. The scope of APN practices was first proposed in 2012 and revised in 2018.
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Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews autoantibody testing in rheumatology.
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Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels in Lupus
A large observational cohort study suggests that monitoring hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels is effective in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a target therapeutic range (for HCQ level monitoring) of 750-1150 ng/ml.
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Reefer Madness (12.12.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal and regulatory reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. B cell drugs in SLE and ITP, biomarkers in GCA & PSS and great videos by APPs.
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