Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease

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While we know there are certain clinical features serving as predictors that patients with SSc may develop ILD, including diffuse skin disease and serologies such as anti-Scl-70 and Th/To antibodies, it is imperative that clinicians consider that any patient, particularly early in their disease course (5 years of disease since the first non-Raynaud phenomenon symptom) could develop ILD. 

Big Fat FDA Pink Slip (9.19.2025)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com. Today we cover GLP-1 agonists, acupuncture, what JAKs won’t do & an FDA Pink Slip. 

Did Hydroxychloroquine Reduce COVID-19 Mortality?

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A multicenter study investigated the association between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage and COVID-19 mortality among hospitalized patients from multiple medical centers in China. The analysis focused on dose effects of HCQ on mortality.

GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

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Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who used GLP-1 receptor agonists had less disease activity and improved cardiovascular biomarkers, a small retrospective study indicated.

What you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis

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What do you need to know about scleroderma-related lung fibrosis as a practicing rheumatologist? Here are takeaways from these guidelines and my practice.

GLP-1 drugs cost-effective for knee osteoarthritis and obesity

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A new study led by investigators at Mass General Brigham finds that adding novel weight loss GLP-1 drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide to usual care represents a cost-effective treatment strategy for people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity, with tirzepatide providing greater health benefits at lower cost compared to semaglutide.

SARD-ILD: Significant diagnostic and treatment delays

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Should we be screening all our patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) for interstitial lung disease? I have been asking myself that question after the recent publication of American Thoracic Society Interstitial Lung Disease screening guidelines. The ATS guidelines, which were published in May, recommend universal CT chest screening for all asymptomatic patients with RA, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, mixed connective tissue disease, and Sjögren’s disease.

Equal Safety of JAK Inhibitors and TNF Inhibitors

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SARD-ILD and serious infection risk: The elephant in the room

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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains one of the largest unmet clinical needs across many systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). Clinicians are already keenly aware of the complexity of patients with SARD-ILD. The “elephant in the room” for all these issues: serious infection.

When Myositis Hits the Lungs: What Every Rheumatologist Should Know About ILD

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When idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) affect the lungs, the consequences can be serious. ILD is not only common in IIM, but also one of the leading causes of death, contributing to up to 80% of mortality in this patient group. For rheumatologists, two subsets stand out: anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS) and anti-MDA-5 positive dermatomyositis (MDA5-DM). These patients present with distinct clinical clues, very different disease trajectories, and unique treatment challenges. Recognizing ILD early and acting decisively can make the difference between stabilizing a chronic course and facing a rapidly progressive, often fatal decline.

STOP-RA: Hydroxychloroquine Fails in ACPA+ Arthralgia

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Deane et al has published the results of the STOP-RA trial, demonstrating that 12 months of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) did not prevent the development of clinical RA at 36 months. 

Hitting the Target: T2T Therapy in SLE

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Treat-to-target strategies are not a new concept in rheumatology. It has shown to improve patient outcomes and quality of life in RA and PsA, and is now being increasingly adopted not only in SLE research but also in clinical practice. This article reviews key highlights from Dr. Eric Morand’s plenary session lecture on Treat to Target in SLE: Current Evidence and Future Directions, presented during the recent APLAR 2025 Congress.