Sign in

Dr. John Cush

@rheumnow.bsky.social
459 followers 10 following 2.9K posts

Know-it-Now. Info on RA, Stills disease, Lupus, Gout, Pregnancy, Spondylitis, Psoriasis, Drug Safety, Rheumatology Research, Medical Education & Drug Evaluation Rheumnow.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 6h
"No person has the right to rain on your dreams." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Upadacitinib is now approved in European Union to treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) ages > 2yrs for those not responding to 1+ DMARDs. In the USA, UPA is approved for pJIA & juvenile PsA buff.ly/5zhbQmj
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (September 2026) The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a review of recent citations and content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, calcinosis, CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biologics, and JAK inhibitors. buff.ly/8ZtbzQZ
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The GLP-1 Opportunity Cost in Rheumatology There is no doubt it is an incredibly exciting time to be tackling obesity-related diseases, like many rheumatic diseases appear to be, to some extent. buff.ly/tXsf524
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The weight is off, the DMARDs are off - now what? When treatments succeed, we have to plan the next steps. Let’s remember why we started and set new goals for life after the weight change. buff.ly/cAgYuG1
001
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Observational study of 228 #PsA pts Rx biologics, either early (<2yrs; mean 6 mos) vs later (mean 3.6 yrs). Groups were balanced in all parameters; after 6 mos no diff in DAPSA50 or PASI75 response. Biologics work regardless of when started. buff.ly/EHG2yXz
buff.ly
Short‐Term Response to Biologic Therapy in Psoriatic Arthritis Is Not Influenced by Disease Duration at Initiation of Therapy
Objective We aimed to determine whether the short-term response to biologics in biologic-naive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is better in patients initiating biologic treatment early in the disease…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
ARthritis & CAncer (ARCA) is Spanish retro study of 728 #RA pts w/ Hx of CA & Rx w/ biologics. W/ F/U of 11 022 yrs, new/recurrent CA was not incr (7.3/1000PYs) & = Pts Rx w/ csDMARDs (HRs 0.94; 0.73,1.21) & not incr w/ TNFi (0.94), IL-6i (1.03), CD20i (0.81), JAKi (0.6), ABA (0.74) buff.ly/GSD3ehs
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Obesity & Biologic Treatment Response Prepared for "The Obesity Imperative" campaign. buff.ly/krgxWwU
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Treatment for Obesity and Inflammation, but at what Cost? buff.ly/ZoAUyCz
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Worldwide the Sjögren’s disease market size across was valued at approximately $1 billion USD in 2025 and is projected to reach nearly $10 billion USD by 2036 (with annual growth of 26.2% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2036). buff.ly/wAKRrxV
buff.ly
Sjogren’s Syndrome Market Poised for Sustained Growth Amid Advancements in Treatment and Clinical Innovation by 2036 – DelveInsight | Astellas Pharma, Immunovant Sciences, NK Cells Artiva Biotherap – Lucknow News Flash
(Albany, New York) – September 29, 2026: DelveInsight’s report “Sjogren’s Syndrome Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2036,” provides a comprehensive analysis of the Sjogren’s…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study showing the efficacy of dazodalibep in Sjögren's dz, w/ signif ESSDAI improvements at wek 48. DAZO is a CD40L antagonist fusion protein buff.ly/y9rQaOA
020
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Mediterranean Diet Lowers Incident RA Risk The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published the results of the SUN Project study, showing that long-term adherence to a MedDiet was associated with a substantially lower risk of incident RA, but not psoriasis. buff.ly/iQ0VJIb
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
GCA international survey of 155 specialists (rheums 51%; ophthal 33%). w/ GCA dx, ASA started in only 15%; w/ 69.5% uncertain. w/ visual loss, 93% Rheums, 85% Ophthal Rx w/ IVGC, followed by oral. Uncertainty for IV versus po GC seen in 68.5% buff.ly/oY9uAs5
buff.ly
International practice patterns and beliefs concerning intravenous methylprednisolone and low-dose aspirin in giant cell arteritis - Eye
Eye - International practice patterns and beliefs concerning intravenous methylprednisolone and low-dose aspirin in giant cell arteritis
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Do biologic Rx lower risk of PsA? Metanalysis (15 studies, 124,138 psoriasis pts, 778K PYrs F/U), showed Biologic use assoc w/ lower risk of PsA (HR 0.54); best for IL-17i (0.65) & IL-12/23 or IL-23i (0.46) vs TNFi. IL-23i superior to IL-17i (HR 0.67) buff.ly/N4froBW
buff.ly
Impact of Biologic Therapies on the Risk of Progression from Psoriasis to Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies - American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Background Psoriasis progresses to psoriatic arthritis in up to 30% of patients, causing irreversible joint damage and substantial healthcare burden. Whether biologic therapy reduces psoriatic…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Obesity as a Risk Factor for Rheumatic Diseases buff.ly/P3Xg2eb
021
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
BMJ reports TriNetX EHR study showing GLP-1 RA use in knee OA pts was assoc w/ significantly lower cumulative TKA incidence (p<0.001).  1 year any GLP-1 RA (HR 0.90) or 3 yrs exposure (HR 0.72) signif lowered TKA 8 yrs later buff.ly/yDUiIxs
001
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Need for Weight Loss and Weight Gain in the ILD Clinic buff.ly/DgLwvMj
011
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Metanalysis of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in #SLE (65 articles, 11K pts). MetS prevalence 27% (higher in males (36 vs 27%). HCQ assoc w/ signif less MetS (OR 0.66), but more w/ CTX (1.39), AZA (1.25), MMF (1.13), but not steroids or MTX. MetS pts were older, obese, w/ high Chol & LDL buff.ly/VQNvSI9
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Retrospective study from India on 157 juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) pts - 44 (28%) had calcinosis. They had a long Dx delay (12 mos), were NXP2+ in 41%, & high risk for Lipodystrophy (39% vs 5%). 39% improved while 61% had static/progressive Dz buff.ly/sYUD9kU
buff.ly
Catching up with calcinosis: analysis of clinical characteristics, myositis-specific autoantibodies, and response to therapy in juvenile dermatomyositis
Paediatric Rheumatology; Authors: P. Vignesh, R. Aggarwal, A. Sil, S. Basu, S. Mondal, A. Dod, V. Keshavamurthy, M. Dhaliwal, S. Sharma, R.K. Pilania, A.K. Jindal, D. Suri, A. Rawat, S. Singh
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
52 VEXAS pts Rx w/ IL‐1i, IL‐6i, or JAKi therapy judged as compl Resp (CR), partial (PR), Failure (TF). @ 6mos: 3/19 IL‐6i had CR, 4/19 PR, 7/19 TF. JAKi had 2/17 CR, 3/17 PR, 6/17 TF. No CR w/ IL‐1i or TNFαi, only 1/5 IL‐1i patients experienced PR. buff.ly/tsRr6gg
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Systematic review of 21 papers (23K RA pts) finds 12% w/ difficult-to-treat RA. Risk factors -- smoking (OR 1·16), obesity (1·38), FM (2·20) & depression (1·74). No assoc w/ current smoking or anxiety. buff.ly/pDHkt5O
buff.ly
Associated lifestyle factors and comorbidities of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis identified that smoking, obesity, fibromyalgia, and depression are significantly associated with occurrence of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis. These…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Upadacitinib is now approved in European Union to treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) ages > 2yrs for those not responding to 1+ DMARDs. In the USA, UPA is approved for pJIA & juvenile PsA buff.ly/5zhbQmj
buff.ly
AbbVie Announces European Commission Approval of RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) for the Treatment of Children with Active Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved RINVOQ® (upadacitinib; 15 mg tablet and weight-based 1 mg/mL…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
J&J announced topline results of Phase 4 STAR study where guselkumab (Tremfya) improved in axial Sxs & MRI outcomes in 411 biologic-naïve axial PsA pts, STAR is a 24 wk DBPCT of GUS (IL-23 inhib) in DMARD unresponsive pts. Endpoint was BASDAI @ wk24. buff.ly/tK6Q57c
buff.ly
Johnson & Johnson announces TREMFYA® (guselkumab) is the first and only IL-23 inhibitor to show significant improvement in spinal pain and stiffness in landmark axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA) study
SPRING HOUSE, Pa., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced that TREMFYA® (guselkumab) met the primary and major secondary endpoints demonstrating both improvement…
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Gabapentin Use Rose as Restrictions Fell, Study Shows Gabapentin use jumped quickly in Michigan after the drug was removed from the state's controlled substance schedule in 2024, a cross-sectional study showed. buff.ly/Czoe2Oq
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Residual steroids doesnt preserve remission. Japan FRANK #RA registry 411/3,863 were in Boolean remission - 130 on GC vs 231 non-GC (1/3 on b/tsDMARDs). Roughly 1/3 flared to LDA @12 mos. Outcomes same for GC vs non-GC Rx pts. buff.ly/ZPnGGqf
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
FDA has approved baricitinib (Olumiant) for the treatment of pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with severe alopecia areata buff.ly/BjKSDs2
buff.ly
FDA approves Lilly's Olumiant (baricitinib) for pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with severe alopecia areata | Eli Lilly and Company
The Investor Relations website contains information about Eli Lilly and Company's business for stockholders, potential investors, and financial analysts.
021
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Cluster analysis of Spanish RELES #SLE SLE cohort reveals 3 groups. C1 (n 168) was younger, w/ lupus nephritis, low C3, intensive Rx, high infx & damage. C2 (175) w/ cytopenias, serositis, APL & dsDNA(+). C3 (452) mild skin-Jts, less serologic activity & complications buff.ly/Oj3vuij
012
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Prescribing New GLP-1-Based Therapies buff.ly/strzaZX
021
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Systematic review 14 studies assessed Lung ultrasound (LUS) (vs HRCT) to detect RA-ILD (using threshold of ≥ 5 B-lines) found sensitivity was 86.8% (95% CI 80.1–91.4), specificity 75.4% (95% CI 62.3–85.1), and AUC 0.890 buff.ly/7rE7jqd
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Study of 119 Rheum pts on GLP-1 Rx (65% T2DM, 35% obesity; mean BMI 35). @ 12 mos wt loss −7.7 kg & 56% improved ≥1 BMI category. Signif decr in A1c, FBS, lipids, LDL, TG, ESR & CRP. GLP-1RAs useful cardiometabolic benefits buff.ly/pGQpIDB~
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Do You Have to be Overweight for GLP-1s to Work? buff.ly/z5mLbOO
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
TNR: Obesity Treatment & Safety buff.ly/ekuQViw
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
FDA FAERS pharmacovigilance study of MSK serious adverse reports w/ GLP-1 RAs - Muscle atrophy showed the strongest AE, w/ less freq reports of back pain, muscle spasms, neck pain. buff.ly/7bAa0wv
buff.ly
Musculoskeletal Adverse Event Signals Associated With Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide in the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, yet their musculoskeletal reporting profile remains incompletely…
021
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
2024 death rates from unintentional falls among adults≥65 yrs were 74.8/100K for men (66.6 women) Rates were higher for men > women. Fall death rates incr w/ age: highest ≥85 years. buff.ly/OTJQQ2f
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Prescribing New GLP-1-Based Therapies buff.ly/strzaZX
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study evaluating dazodalibep (CD40L antagonist fusion protein) in adult Sjögren's dz w/ positive ESSDAI results at wk 48 buff.ly/lBDTGD0
buff.ly
AMGEN ANNOUNCES POSITIVE TOPLINE PHASE 3 RESULTS FOR DAZODALIBEP IN MODERATE-TO-SEVERE SYSTEMIC SJÖGREN'S DISEASE| Amgen
Dazodalibep Demonstrated Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Systemic Disease Activity
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It’s almost time. 🔥 Registration for RheumNow Live 2027 opens OCTOBER 1. Two days of practical, engaging rheumatology education designed to challenge how you think and influence how you practice. 📅 Jan 30–31, 2027 📍 Dallas + Online
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Earlier Dx of axSpA is assoc w/ lower long-term spinal structural damage. Swiss study compared xray outcomes betw 138 early (<2yrs) & 238 established axSpA pts w/ 11.5 yrs F/U. Differences became evident 10-15 yrs after Dx. buff.ly/gbyn5GY
buff.ly
Early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis is associated with less long‐term spinal structural damage: a longitudinal analysis of the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in rheumatic diseases registry
Objectives The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society recently defined early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) as a duration ≤2 years of axial symptoms. Previous studies have shown no…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Retrospective review of 33 referred pts w/ Recurrent fever w/ MSK & skin Sxs, assessed by NGS. NLRP1 had FMF-like Dz; NLRP recurrent fevers w/ mucocutaneous; NLRP12 periodic fevers w/ MP/EN rash; NLRC4 episodic systemic inflammation GI Sxs & atypical skin rash buff.ly/OGfUkzH
buff.ly
Beyond NLRP3: expanding the spectrum of NLR-associated autoinflammatory diseases
AbstractObjectives. Gain-of-function mutations in NLRP3 represent the prototypical cause of inflammasome-driven systemic autoinflammatory diseases(SAIDs).
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Southern Israel study (2009-24) shows fibromyalgia prevalence Incr from 1.04% to 3.88%, esp 30-59 yrs; more males, w/ more Psych comorbidities; fewer hospitalizations & specialist visits but increased imaging. More use of pregabalin, duloxetine, & gabapentin. buff.ly/hmgpsXT
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Systematic review of 290 psoriasis pregnancies 211 live births (73%) finds biologic exposure (UST 241, 42 TNFi) during PREG assoc w/ favorable maternal/fetal outcomes. Only 24 cont either CZP or ADA throughout PREG. Rates of miscarriage, cong anomalies, = to gen population buff.ly/5lxIyGY
buff.ly
Biologic Therapy in Pregnant Women with Plaque Psoriasis: A Narrative Review of Maternal and Fetal Safety Considerations | MDPI
Background: Psoriasis in pregnancy is a highly prevalent inflammatory condition worldwide, with patients asking how the disease itself, as well as the medications that they take, would affect the…
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Indian Single center retrospective study of 28 children ≤18 yrs tested w/ 18F-FDG-PET/MR for pyrexia (PUO). 25% Dx w/ pre-stenotic TAKayasu (mean 13.9 yrs), & 20/21 alternative Dxs. All had Sxs & high ESR/CRP; all Rx w/ GC & MMF, 3 w/ biologics buff.ly/ffKyCuB
buff.ly
Frontiers | FDG-PET/MR in paediatric pyrexia of unknown origin: early detection of Takayasu arteritis—a single-centre experience
Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) in children presents a significant diagnostic challenge owing to its broad and heterogeneous aetiology. Among autoimmune caus...
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Early RA Referral Clinics Work (9.18.2026) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com buff.ly/NPZQxMG
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🚨 Registration opens October 1! RheumNow Live 2027 returns January 30–31 for our 9th Annual CME Meeting. 📍 Dallas + Online 📅 January 30–31, 2027 🎓 High-impact CME. Expert faculty. Real-world rheumatology. The rheumatology meeting that sets the tone for the year ahead.
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Study of 119 Rheum pts on GLP-1 Rx (65% T2DM, 35% obesity; mean BMI 35). @ 12 mos wt loss −7.7 kg & 56% improved ≥1 BMI category. Signif decr in A1c, FBS, lipids, LDL, TG, ESR & CRP. GLP-1RAs useful cardiometabolic benefits buff.ly/pGQpIDB~
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
QD Clinic: GLP-1s and History of Thyroid Cancer? Daric Mueller, PA-C, St. Clair Shores, MI, presents this case as part of RheumNow's "The Obesity Imperative" campaign, presented in September 2026. buff.ly/MU8hyt2
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Obesity in Rheumatic Diseases: More than just a Comorbidity buff.ly/YhMXna5
010
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Estimated > 7million Americans (~1/3 US GLP1 Rxs) get GLP-1 drugs from online compounding source- but these are not FDA approved. They maybe cheaper, but dosing/quality is suspect. FDA needs to close the 503B loophole to outlaw these copycat Rxs buff.ly/xezDWaJ
buff.ly
What compounded GLP-1s mean for patient safety
Millions of Americans use compounded versions of GLP-1s to save money. Stanford Medicine experts explain what makes them different from FDA-approved versions.
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Metabolomic/proteomics w/ cardiac MRI & longitudinal outcomes in 488079 UK Biobank pts shows chronic systemic inflammation assoc w/ reduced LV volumes, incr CV risk (cytokines, GFs, IL-1, TNF as potential mediators) buff.ly/3SCOlsg
buff.ly
Gene–environment interactions shape cytokine-mediated inflammation and cardiovascular risk
AbstractBackground. Chronic inflammation is a major driver of cardiovascular diseases, but mechanisms linking systemic inflammation to cardiac remodelling
000
Dr. John Cush @rheumnow.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
17 Sept EMA CHMP recommended marketing authorisation for secukinumab (Cosentyx) in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. BUT- not yet EMA approved in the EU. buff.ly/zKvrVgD
buff.ly
Cosentyx - opinion on variation to marketing authorisation | European Medicines Agency (EMA)
On 17 September 2026, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product…
000