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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Reassuring Data on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Autoimmune Disease

Reuters Staff  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with preexisting autoimmune disease (AIDs) are not at increased risk for immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, although these adverse events may be more likely in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), new research indicates. “Therefore, we encourage physicians not to withhold ICI in most common AIDs. However,…

The ACR Addresses Vaccine Challenges

David R. Karp, MD, PhD  |  

An ACR COVID-19 Vaccine task force examined vaccine data and literature to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine safety, efficacy and interaction with medications for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, and to craft a living guidance document for members.

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What Happens When Patients Have Access to Their Clinician’s Notes?

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Navigating the healthcare system and its processes can seem overwhelming to patients. If patients understand why their clinician recommended something, know how and when to take medications, and why they shouldn’t skip a dose—or 10—they may not feel so out of control. Sharing examination notes with patients can be helpful to many patients who struggle…

Immunosuppressive Medicines Do Not Worsen COVID-19 Outcomes

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—Medications that suppress the immune system—necessary for many chronic diseases—do not worsen outcomes of COVID-19 cases, new data suggest. Researchers looked back at 2,121 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and August, including 108 who were taking immunosuppressive drugs (primarily prednisone, tacrolimus or mycophenolate mofetil). After accounting for patients’ general baseline health status, researchers found…

The Effects of IL-17A Inhibitors on the Microbiota

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The use of an interleukin (IL) 17A inhibitor resulted in gut microbial dysbiosis and features of subclinical intestinal inflammation in a subgroup of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients, according to a multidisciplinary, collaborative study across several institutions published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.1 Understanding the downstream effects of these perturbations is an important step…

Rheum After 5: Dr. Angus Worthing, the Singing Rheumatologist

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Every Christmas Eve, Angus Worthing, MD, FACP, FACR, his wife, Margaret, and two young children, engage in a sing-off over the phone, competing against a professional quartet comprising his best friend, Doug, Doug’s sister and their parents. Dr. Worthing, a partner at Arthritis & Rheumatism Associates in Washington, D.C., demonstrated his musical talent as a…

Reporting & Other Tips for the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund

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Between April and December 2020, many eligible healthcare providers received or applied for payments from the $175 billion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF) through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). On Dec.27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Appropriations Act) was signed into law,…

The ACR’s 2020 Advocacy Year in Review

Blair Solow, MD, & Zachary Wallace, MD, MSc  |  

To say it has been an interesting (the science and the memes), tumultuous (the politics) and heartbreaking (the pandemic and social injustice) year is an understatement. There have been moments of grace and inspiration that we hope have kept everyone going.  As we look to 2021, we take lessons from our experiences in 2020. Washington,…