rheumatology

A Phase 1-2 rare rheumatology program achieved all startup milestones ahead of schedule, enrolled eight healthy volunteer cohorts back-to-back on time, and navigated a fundamentally different enrollment landscape when transitioning to patients. The team managed this while adapting to frequent strategy changes and maintaining close sponsor governance across multiple geographies.

For many people, rheumatoid arthritis seems to appear suddenly. One day they begin experiencing painful, swollen joints, overwhelming fatigue, and stiffness that makes everyday activities difficult. But scientists now know that the disease often starts developing long before the first diagnosis is made. New research from King’s College London suggests that treating people before rheumatoid […] Th…

Doctors have traditionally treated rheumatoid arthritis only after the disease becomes obvious. By the time most patients receive a diagnosis, joint damage may already be underway. A new study suggests that this approach could eventually change. Researchers from King’s College London have found that early treatment with a biologic drug can delay rheumatoid arthritis for […] The post This Drug Del…

Systemic sclerosis is a rare connective tissue disorder characterised by autoimmune features with vascular manifestations, causing fibrosis of the skin and internal organs.

A new study suggests that lingering rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are not always caused by ongoing inflammation. For people with rheumatoid arthritis, lingering pain and fatigue are often assumed to be signs that inflammation remains active. But new research suggests the real culprit may sometimes lie elsewhere. Researchers at Semmelweis University report that sleep disorders, depression, [...]

The management of psoriatic arthritis is increasingly focused on the early identification of clinical, immunological, and tissue-based phenotypes predictive of therapeutic response.

The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology - held its 2026 annual Congress in London, where gout was high on the agenda.

When Monique Hinchcliff, MD, MS, associate professor of medicine (rheumatology, allergy & immunology) and director of the Yale Scleroderma Program, first came to Yale, the only way to care for patients with severe, treatment-resistant Raynaud phenomenon--whose fingers were turning black--was to send them to the emergency department for hospitalization and treatment.

A promising new study suggests rheumatoid arthritis may not be as inevitable as once thought for people at high risk. Researchers found that just one year of treatment with the immune-targeting drug abatacept delayed the onset of rheumatoid arthritis by up to four years, with benefits lasting long after treatment ended.

For many people living with rheumatoid arthritis, modern medicines have changed their lives. Treatments that target inflammation can reduce joint damage, ease pain, and help patients stay active for longer. Yet there remains a group of patients who continue to suffer from pain, tiredness, and poor quality of life even after receiving the best available […] The post Why some arthritis patients sti…

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term disease that affects millions of people around the world. It happens when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Over time, the disease can damage joints and affect daily life. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis take medicines that reduce inflammation and help […] The post Scienti…

BackgroundSleep-related problems are common among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and contribute substantially to disease burden and reduced quality of life. Evidence from the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMRO) remains fragmented, with variability in reported prevalence, sleep constructs assessed, and associated risk factors. This study aimed to systematical…

IntroductionJanus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are increasingly used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet comparative data on systemic effects beyond joint inflammation remain limited. Because chronic inflammation promotes generalized bone loss and IL-6-driven osteoclastogenesis, we compared the skeletal effects of baricitinib and tocilizumab over 12 months.MethodsWe performed an exploratory post hoc co…

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis involves early gut immune alterations that precede clinical onset and systemic bone involvement. Using mouse and human imaging mass cytometry (IMC) and tissue sequencing, this study shows that intestinal endothelial and immune changes emerge before or coincide with arthritis symptom development. In the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, intestinal vascu…

Nature Medicine, Published online: 14 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04395-6 Subcutaneous injections of abatacept were superior to oral hydroxychloroquine in preventing progression to persistent arthritis in individuals with palindromic rheumatism.

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize preclinical evidence to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of sinomenine in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis, and integrate current understanding of its potential mechanisms. This study aims to provide preclinical evidence and mechanistic insights to guide the clinical development of sinomenine for rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsThroug…

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and joint damage. Despite available treatments, many patients fail to achieve adequate disease control, prompting interest in complementary approaches. In traditional Chinese medicine, multi-herbal formulations such as Formulation C (Qushi-Juanbi Granules) are used clinically to treat RA. Among its …

BackgroundPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and concomitant fibromyalgia (FM) frequently experience severe, refractory pain, elevated disease activity scores, and substantial psychological distress. Conventional treatments frequently fail to adequately address this complex pain syndrome, and evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions for this specific comorbidity remain…

Scar-driven changes in joint tissue may underlie treatment resistance in rheumatoid arthritis, opening the door to new targeted therapies. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects millions worldwide, causing persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness when the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue lining the joints. Over the past two decades, an expanding toolkit of anti-inflammatory and immune…

BackgroundThere is currently scarce data on the real-world effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This study evaluated clinical outcomes and drug retention rate (DRR) at 6, 12, and 24 months in patients initiating upadacitinib for axSpA.MethodsThis prospective, observational study enrolled consecutive patients with radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA) o…