iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Senator Dick Durbin @durbin.senate.gov · 28/09/2026

I joined several Senate Democrats in demanding the Trump Administration abandon any plan to exert political control over NIH’s grantmaking process. I urge my Republican colleagues to follow suit and work with us to protect science-based medical research.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Does SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding duration differ in autoimmune patients using B cell depleting (BCD) or TNFi therapy? Matched cohort study of outpatients with COVID showed patients receiving BCD had 8 days longer viral shedding, whereas TNFi users had similar duration vs immunocompetent comparators

B Cell Depletion Relative to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibition Extends the Duration of Viral Shedding in COVID-19 Among Autoimmune Disease Patients: A Matched Prospective Cohort Study. Graphical abstract created using BioRender

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Dual b/tsDMARD therapy for refractory or multidomain PsA doi.org/10.1002/acr2... SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding duration in patients using B cell depleting or TNFi therapy doi.org/10.1002/acr2...

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Retrospective emulated target trial compared cardiovascular disease outcomes among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus initiating anifrolumab versus belimumab Arthritis & Rheumatology doi.org/10.1002/art....

Anifrolumab versus Belimumab for Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Graphical abstract created using BioRender

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

MedPage Today @medpagetoday.com · 10/08/2026

Koreans with rheumatoid arthritis showed increased disease activity and higher flare rates when exposed to relatively high levels of small atmospheric particulate matter, researchers reported. @jeffsparks.bsky.social www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/a…

medpagetoday.com

Dirty Air Worsens Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes, Study Shows

Small particulate matter seen as the main culprit

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

MedPage Today @medpagetoday.com · 13/07/2026

Analysis of hundreds of thousands of patient records showed differing risks for autoimmune disorders for new users of the more recent types of antidiabetic medications. @jeffsparks.bsky.social www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/g…

medpagetoday.com

Newer Diabetes Drugs, Including GLP-1 Agonists, Tied to Autoimmunity Risk

Patterns differ among medication classes; potential mechanisms need more research

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Lancet Rheumatology @thelancetrheum.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

NEW RESEARCH—Trends in autoimmune rheumatic disease diagnoses before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in England: a population-based cohort study using @OpenSAFELY bit.ly/4p6WELY Plus linked Comment by @jeffsparks.bsky.social bit.ly/446onmh

Comparison between observed and expected diagnosis rates of autoimmune rheumatic diseases in England after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪 @rheumawrite.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

The EULAR Social Media in #Rheumatology (SoMeR) Study Group is dedicated to exploring the role of social media in advancing scientific exchange and #education in rheumatology. We would be grateful if you could spare two minutes of your precious time to share your views: forms.gle/qZn7pKwDjwiU...

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Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc @jeffsparks.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

2-minute SURVEY for rheumatologists and healthcare professionals: As part of a Delphi exercise, the EULAR SoMer group aims to capture perspectives on priorities for Social Media use. We would be grateful if you could spare 2 minutes of your time to share your views: forms.gle/qZn7pKwDjwiU...

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

SARS-CoV-2 antigen positivity at months 3 and 6 following infection may be more common in rheumatic diseases than in the general population, driven largely by nucleocapsid antigen positivity Arthritis & Rheumatology doi.org/10.1002/art....

Frequency of positive SARS-CoV-2 antigens (S1 [spike protein that contains the receptor binding domain], spike, or nucleocapsid [N]) after COVID-19 in the RheumCARD vs. RECOVER-Adult cohorts at time of blood draw.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Your weekly recap of this week in Arthritis & Rheumatology SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen persistence in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases doi.org/10.1002/art.... Higher complement C4 gene copy number as risk factor for GCA and IgA vasculitis doi.org/10.1002/art....

Weekly recap in ACR Journals banner- Arthritis & Rheumatology cover

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

How should clinicians approach psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors? This NEW episode reviews epidemiology, patient characteristics, & outcomes from a multicenter study of apremilast. 🎙️ LISTEN → acr.tw/4d6xoRs

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Journal of Rheumatology @jrheumatol.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Expert Review Screening for Rheumatoid Arthritis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Current Evidence and Next Steps Needed for Routine Clinical Use 📖 doi.org/10.3899/jrhe... @jeffsparks.bsky.social @harvardmed.bsky.social #RheumatoidArthritis #InterstitialLungDisease

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Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc @jeffsparks.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Incredibly exciting to be hosting our NIH P30-funded VERITY/Brigham Course in Rheumatology Clinical Research this week! 23 early investigators attending in person here in Boston to hone their grants and analyses. Another 50+ online attendees for the didactic portion Grateful for this community!

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Target trial emulation: biologics or JAK vs RTX in RA-ILD -- abatacept (n=694), JAKi (156), IL-6i (389), or TNFi (734), PS-matched =# RTX; no significant differences (HR 0.74-1.09 NS) in outcomes of resp hosp, lung transplant & death. ABA & JAKi had less death www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsA trial of ixekizumab + tirzepatide in comorbid overweight or obese adults with psoriatic arthritis showed clinically meaningful improvement of psoriatic disease, physical function, weight reduction, and quality-of-life, with no new safety concerns A&R doi.org/10.1002/art....

Ixekizumab with Tirzepatide Achieved Greater Disease Control than Ixekizumab Alone in Adults with Psoriatic Arthritis and Overweight or Obesity: Results from the TOGETHER-PsA Trial. A graphical abstract

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Matthew Sparks @nephrosparks.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Head over to 👇 tourneytopia.com/AJKD/NephMad... and submit your #NephMadness Bracket

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

NEJM.org @nejm.org · 06/03/2026

In patients with SLE without advanced lupus nephritis, obinutuzumab plus standard therapy was superior to placebo plus standard therapy in conferring and sustaining a clinically meaningful reduction in disease activity over 52 weeks. Full phase 3 ALLEGORY trial results: nej.md/4smEuWW #MedSky

15th European Lupus Meeting
Original Article | MAR 6, 2026 | NEJM.org
Efficacy and Safety of Obinutuzumab in Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Figure 1A. Time to First BILAG Flare.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Journal of Rheumatology @jrheumatol.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Editor’s Picks Spotlight Investigating Factors Associated With RSV Vaccination and Breakthrough Infection Among Patients With SARDs 📖 www.jrheum.org/cgi/content/... @jeffsparks.bsky.social 📽️ Watch the video interview youtu.be/GnAghCae-hY #RSV #Vaccination

youtu.be

Editor's Picks Spotlight: RSV Vaccination and Breakthrough Infection Among Patients With SARDs

YouTube video by The Journal of Rheumatology

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Earlier and more frequent immune suppression is used in scleroderma-associated ILD (from EUSTAR data) but there are still care gaps with still significant mortality in SSc-ILD and lack of prediction regarding who will progress Editorial in A&R @jeffsparks.bsky.social

acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Improvements in outcomes for systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung disease with expanded treatment options

Click on the article title to read more.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Journal of Rheumatology @jrheumatol.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Research Article Investigating Factors Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination and Breakthrough Infection Among Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases 📖 www.jrheum.org/cgi/content/... @jeffsparks.bsky.social #RSV #Vaccination

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Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc @jeffsparks.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Very happy to share our latest paper about the current state and next steps needed to make screening for ILD in some subgroups of patients with RA. Lots to weigh for pros and cons, and more research work in progress. Thanks to our team and Lauren O'Keeffe for leading www.jrheum.org/content/earl...

jrheum.org

Screening for rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: Current evidence and next steps needed for routine clinical use

Interstitial lung disease (ILD), characterized by pulmonary fibrosis and/or inflammation, is a common and severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA-ILD is associated with r...

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Randomized phase 2 trial of pirfenidone (PFD) or placebo along with MMF in SSc-ILD ACR Open Rheumatology doi.org/10.1002/acr2... key findings ↓

Primary outcome assessments for the changes from baseline to 18 months in the FVC-%. (A) A line graph displays the least-squares mean (LSM) changes from baseline, at three-month intervals, for the FVC-% by treatment group. Estimates are based on a linear mixed-effect model evaluating the m-ITT population for the primary endpoint as detailed in Table 2 (see footnote). The number of subjects who had their FVC-% outcomes available, at each time point, are displayed beneath the x-axis. The LSM change from baseline at 18 months for the MMF+PLA arm was 2.24 (SEM 1.35) versus 2.09 (SEM 1.28) for MMF+PFD, resulting in a treatment difference of −0.14 (95% CI −3.57 to 3.28; P = 0.93). (B) Treatment differences in the frequency distribution of individual participant changes in FVC-% from baseline to 18 months are compared in a bidirectional histogram for the completers population

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Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc @jeffsparks.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

ATTENTION all early investigators: FREE 2026 VERITY/Brigham Course in Rheum Clinical Research will be held in Boston on Apr 7-10, 2026 Hone your research/grant/career with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard faculty. Funded by NIAMS Apply here by Dec 16: www.verityresearch.org/verity-cours...

verityresearch.org

VERITY Course 2026 – Verity Research

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Jamie Collins @colljamie.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Excited to share the results of the TeMPO (Treatment of Meniscal Problems in Osteoarthritis) trial, published today in NEJM: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.... A labor of love from the #BWH #oracore team, with partners in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. 879 randomized with the COVID in the middle!

nejm.org

A Randomized Trial of Physical Therapy for Meniscal Tear and Knee Pain | NEJM

Physical therapy is routinely recommended for knee pain attributed to a degenerative meniscal tear, but its efficacy has not been established. We randomly assigned participants 45 to 85 years of ag...

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

In a cohort of patients screened for lung cancer with low-dose CT, patients with rheumatoid arthritis had higher prevalence of 'positive screen', fibrotic lung changes, & bronchiectasis. About 1 in 4 had a positive screen; 1 in 20 had lung cancer AC&R doi.org/10.1002/acr.... #Medsky #Oncsky

Associations of rheumatoid arthritis cases vs. non-rheumatoid arthritis comparators with abnormal findings on low-dose chest CT imaging performed for lung cancer screening

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

In a cohort of pts receiving CAR T cell therapy for hematologic cancer, pre-existing autoimmune disease was not associated with increase in major toxicity. Findings offer reassurance for CAR T cell cancer treatment in pts with pre-existing autoimmunity ACR Open Rheumatology doi.org/10.1002/acr2...

doi.org

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Rheum Cat @rheumcat.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Abs 2662 McDermott @jeffsparks.bsky.social 🔎 Target trial emulation to address the Q of whether guidelines like ACR and CHEST are appropriate for conditionally recommending RTX over other biologics for RA-ILD? 📊 Data source: Medicare 👨‍👨‍👦 Study pop: RA ILD #ACR25

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Lancet Rheumatology @thelancetrheum.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

NEW RESEARCH—Risk factors for interstitial lung disease in early rheumatoid arthritis and external validation of screening strategies: a cross-sectional analysis of the prospective SAIL-RA cohort in the USA bit.ly/3L1F0t5 @jeffsparks.bsky.social

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Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc @jeffsparks.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Excited to share the baseline results of our SAIL-RA cohort investigating lung health in early rheumatoid arthritis. Prevalence of ILD in early RA (median duration 8 months) was 11%. Strong associations with age and moderate/high RA activitity linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2665991325001584

linkinghub.elsevier.com

Redirecting

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Mithu Maheswaranathan, MD @mithurheum.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

🆕 Collaboration with RheumNow 🔵 3-Part Series on Interstitial Lung Disease Part 2: Diagnosis & Subtypes of #ILD 👩🏻‍⚕️ What to look for on Physical Exam 🧪 Serologic Testing & Diagnostic Workup 🫁 Differentiating ILD Subtypes on Imaging #RheumSky #PulmSky #MedSky #InterstitialLungDisease

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Kristi Kuhn @kristikuhn.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Happy to have compiled this review on the role of the intestinal mucosa in RA and SpA with my friends @kknoop.bsky.social‬, Joyce, Mario, and Kentaro. We challenge the "leaky gut" hypothesis and why we shouldn't use that term that oversimplifies how our microbiome shapes immunity.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Alu expression in dermatomyositis muscle tissue doi.org/10.1002/art.... Characterizing a cohort of patients with SpA spectrum disorders initially presenting as PMR doi.org/10.1002/art.... Patients with RA-associated lung disease at increased risk of serious infection doi.org/10.1002/art.... ↓

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Lancet Rheumatology @thelancetrheum.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

ICYMI in our May issue—Survival in patients with rheumatoid #arthritis and recently diagnosed early-stage colorectal, lung, or prostate #cancer receiving TNF inhibitors bit.ly/3Q9Or8N Plus, linked Comment by @jeffsparks.bsky.social & @nasingh.bsky.social bit.ly/42XQnsw #Medsky #Rheumsky

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

ACR Journals @acr-journals.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

EULAR/American College of Rheumatology Risk Stratification Criteria for Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Risk Stage of Arthralgia doi.org/10.1002/art.... Published simultaneously in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases #Medsky #Rheumsky

EULAR/ACR risk stratification criteria (after simplification) for individuals with arthralgia at risk for rheumatoid arthritis, to be used in presence or absence of imaging

Figure 2. Predicted risks (graph) and test characteristics and predictive values for several score cutoffs (table) for the risk stratification criteria with- out or with imaging. Predicted risks for the sum scores obtained in Table 4. Test characteristics and predictive values for several cutoffs of risk scores are shown; an extensive list of cutoffs with test characteristics and data on the percentage of persons with these cutoffs is presented in Supplemental Table S8. The area under the curve of the criteria without imaging is 0.80 and with MRI data is 0.85. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NPV, negative predictive value; PPV, positive predictive value; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; Sens, sensitivity; Spec, specificity

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Puja Mehta 🧩 🌻 @drpujamehta1.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

⏰ It’s Today! 3:15, Charter 3 🗣️ BSR SARD-ILD Guidelines working group! 👋🏽 me - management 👋🏽 Muhammad Nisar - monitoring 👋🏽 Nazia Chaudari - screening 🪑 Clive Kelly @cliveryton Come join us!! #ILD 🫁 🖐️!! #BSR2025

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

American Journal of Kidney Diseases @ajkd.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Thank you to the #NephMadness Selection Committee members who helped us develop the teams in each region: - @jordybc.bsky.social - Mehmet Sever - @thenestor.bsky.social - @jeffsparks.bsky.social - Mariana Murea - @lawdishu.bsky.social - Swee-Ling Levea - Babak Orandi - Susan Samuel

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

RheumMadness @rheummadness.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

The final results of #RheumMadness 2025 are out! Read more about the panel's choices on our website, plus our list of thank you-s to all our collaborators who make this possible! sites.duke.edu/rheummadness/ Thank you all for another great year!

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

The Journal of Rheumatology @jrheumatol.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Research Article Serum Biomarkers of Pulmonary Damage and Risk for Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease 📖 www.jrheum.org/cgi/content/... @jeffsparks.bsky.social #biologicalmarkers #rheumatoidarthritis #interstitiallungdisease

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

RheumMadness @rheummadness.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Never played #RheumMadness ? Think you don't have enough time to submit your bracket? Think again. Submit with two simple steps: 1. Watch the 2-minute explainer video below 2. Head over to the tournament website and submit a bracket (IT'S FREE) 26.5 hours left! tourneytopia.com/RheumMadness...

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Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc @jeffsparks.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Incredible honor to participate in this year's #NephMadness- the tournament my brother @nephrosparks.bsky.social helped found years ago My commentary about basketball (#Razorbacks), brotherhood, and RheumOnc / CAR-T Also make sure to participate in #RheumMadness- CAR-T team there too

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Reposted by Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc

Matthew Sparks @nephrosparks.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

#NephMadness 2025: CAR-T for Autoimmunity – Driving to the Championship Any my brother getting involved this year !!!! @jeffsparks.bsky.social ajkdblog.org/2025/03/21/n...

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