A combined individual-patient-data analysis of the NORD-STAR and BeSt trials shows that where early RA is distributed carries prognostic signal: hand-dominant disease (JIP-Hand) predicts better treatment response and polyarthritis (JIP-Poly) worse — independent of sex and serology, and equally across csDMARDs and bDMARDs, with ACPA/RF showing no association with short-term activity response.
A 2026 practical review of morphea (localized scleroderma) across age groups — an organ-sparing autoimmune skin disease distinct from systemic sclerosis. Covers classification, the high-stakes subtypes (pansclerotic, facial linear), activity-vs-damage assessment, and management anchored on long-course methotrexate plus a steroid bridge, where depth and site dictate aggressiveness.
The 2025 EULAR update streamlines RA management to 5 overarching principles and 9 recommendations, abandons post-methotrexate prognostic risk stratification, and keeps JAK inhibitors co-equal with biologics after individual risk assessment.