Daily Recap Day 1 + 2 EULAR 2026

A groundbreaking study presented at EULAR 2026 reveals that letting patients choose their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) biologic therapy—via a simple three-minute educational video—leads to significantly higher treatment satisfaction, better retention, and fewer adverse events, challenging the traditional top-down clinical model. This real-world validation of shared decision-making suggests that patient autonomy isn't just ethical but clinically impactful. Meanwhile, the meeting spotlighted the rising role of GLP-1 agonists in rheumatology, with emerging data on their anti-inflammatory effects beyond weight loss, though concerns about osteoporosis and muscle loss remain unaddressed. On the frontier of treatment, early data on CAR T-cell therapy in refractory RA showed dramatic remissions in six patients, but experts warn it’s too early for clinical use, especially given RA’s complex, T-cell-driven biology. Other key findings include a head-to-head trial showing equal efficacy between tocilizumab and abatacept post-TNF failure, and a promising new drug for IgG4-related disease that reduces flares and steroid use. Finally, a practical study on colchicine withdrawal in palindromic rheumatism offers real-world guidance: nearly 60% of patients remain in remission after stopping, but mega-dose misuse poses serious suicide risks, underscoring the need for careful prescribing.