SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Current trends in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy are the increased use of newer medication categories, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (Jakinibs) and biologics, and the rising costs of treatment. Unchanged is the consistent use of methotrexate as an effective therapy. These topics and more were discussed at the ACR Winter Symposium during…
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—The study of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is ongoing, and research results should help improve treatment for this patient population. Key trials and therapeutic options were discussed at the 2020 ACR Winter Symposium during the session, Update on the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, by Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, chief of…
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Janus kinase inhibitors—or Jakinibs—are a relatively new class of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that perform well and have a safety profile comparable to biologics. This group of drugs was the subject of The New Frontier: Comparative Safety of JAK Inhibitors, a presentation given at the ACR Winter Symposium by Kevin L. Winthrop, MD,…
Clinically amyotrophic dermatomyositis (CADM), a subset of dermatomyositis (DM), is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by typical DM cutaneous findings (e.g., heliotrope rash, Gottron papules, Gottron sign) without evidence of myositis.1 The incidence of DM and CADM is approximately 9.63 per 1 million people and 2.08 per 1 million people, respectively.2 The association with development…
Two new studies delving into the relative safety of biologic drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have concluded that real-world applications of abatacept and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi’s) are comparable to more conventional therapies in their associated risk of serious infections. Triple Therapy One study, in Arthritis Care & Research, found the risk of…
Even before I started my rheumatology fellowship, I knew it would be a demanding career, diagnosing complex diseases with only a few management options in seriously ill patients. What I didn’t appreciate as much before is how badly we are needed across the country. According to the 2018 outcomes report from the National Resident Matching…
Telerheumatology—which refers to the application of electronic communication technology to clinical encounters from a distance between rheumatologists and their patients—has the potential to extend a workforce projected to experience significant shortfalls, making it more accessible to more patients. Multiple barriers that stood in the way of taking full advantage of this promise are now down—at…
In 2019, the ACR created a Global Strategy Task Force to establish and oversee a cohesive approach to expanding its global impact in education, training and research through increased engagement with international partners. Just as the task force met in February 2020, the world was plunged into the COVID-19 pandemic. The concept of global collaboration…
The uncertainty is certain Let us draw up the curtain Unmask this serial killer’s intention. Attack of its clones gone viral Made distancing societal Disrupting every human convention. Humble hydroxychloroquine Now forced into the scene Telehealth bridges our care. Drive-thru testing PPE and sanitizing Social media fills the air. But let’s not be deceived This…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Cases of a rare hyperinflammatory syndrome believed to be linked to novel coronavirus continue to be reported around the world. During a 10-day period in mid-April, clinicians in London treated an “unprecedented” cluster of eight children with hyperinflammatory shock, who presented to Evelina London Children’s Hospital pediatric intensive care unit (ICU), triggering…