NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Pneumococcal vaccination yields a satisfactory antibody response in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), but synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) might reduce the vaccine response in these individuals, according to a report from Sweden. The prospective study, published online Jan. 8 in Rheumatology, evaluated the response to either pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) or… [Read More]
Search results for: Pneumococcal Vaccine
IBD Tied to Higher Risk of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at slightly increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), according to Danish researchers. In a paper online Sept. 8 in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, Bjørn Kantsø of Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen and colleagues note that the inappropriate immune response against infective agents seen in… [Read More]
Project Increases Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Rheumatology Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—A multicomponent intervention can significantly increase pneumococcal vaccination rates in pediatric rheumatology patients, researchers report. “The interventions outlined in our article can easily be implemented in pediatric rheumatology practices or other subspecialty clinics,” Dr. Julia G. Harris from Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., told Reuters Health by email. “It takes additional… [Read More]
Vaccines and Biologics: What Rheumatologists Need to Know
How vaccines, medications and rheumatic disease-related effects on immune system interact... [Read More]
ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting 2012: Immunosuppressed Rheumatic Disease Patients Still Candidates for Vaccines
People with rheumatic diseases can be considered to receive flu and pneumococcal vaccines even if they’re on immunosuppressive drugs... [Read More]
How to Watch for Immune Deficiencies & Manage Risk
CHICAGO—When a patient with rheumatic disease suffers recurrent infections, has a history of multiple autoimmune diseases or presents with atypical autoimmune syndromes, clinicians should consider the possibility of an immune deficiency, an expert said at the ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium in April. W. Winn Chatham, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Alabama at… [Read More]
Tips on Vaccinating Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
CHICAGO—In October of last year, a 52-year-old woman came to see Kevin Winthrop, MD, MPH, associate professor in infectious diseases, public health and preventive medicine at the Oregon Health & Sciences University. She had rheumatoid arthritis and was taking methotrexate and prednisone. She had had little change in her RA disease severity and was considering… [Read More]
How Non-Transferable EHRs Have Affected Physician Practices
Full disclosure: I am not a rabid fan of dogs. None rank among my best friends. Perhaps my antipathy stems from a memorable childhood event, when I was chased down the street where I lived by a neighbor’s large and not-so-friendly hound. He seemed to be twice my size, and this explains why I may… [Read More]
Quality Patient Care in Rheumatology a Challenge to Define, Measure
Rapid change and increasing costs in healthcare have sparked renewed interest in providing high-quality care, but demonstrating quality is difficult... [Read More]
Measles Is Back. How Does This Affect Patients with Rheumatic Disease?
Despite the presence of a highly effective vaccine, measles (rubeola) is still an important problem worldwide, one that has reemerged in some areas of the world where it had previously been almost eradicated. Rheumatology patients may have questions about whether they are sufficiently protected. Here we discuss key considerations for rheumatologists in light of recent… [Read More]