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

Rituximab May Benefit Patients with Refractory JIA-Associated Uveitis

Lorraine L. Janeczko  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Rituximab may calm juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis and especially benefit patients who haven’t responded to other biologic treatments, a study from Italy suggests. With its convenient dosing schedule, rituximab may be a new treatment option for patients with autoimmune diseases, especially for those who have not responded to tumor necrosis factor…

Use of Unspecified Codes in ICD-10: What You Need to Know

From the College  |  

The ACR Practice Management and Coding department will periodically update the membership on the new ICD-10 coding guidelines and conventions to assist practices with accurate billing. Our top question during the first week of ICD-10 implementation was on the use of unspecified codes…

Hospital-Owned Physician Practices Linked to Higher Prices

Lisa Rapaport  |  

(Reuters Health)—Outpatient care may cost more when hospitals own the medical practices or employ the physicians, a U.S. study suggests. Hospital employment of doctors and ownership of physician practices has grown over the past decade as healthcare providers seek to curb expenses with economies of scale and deliver better coordinated treatment to patients. Research reported…

Celiac Disease in Pediatric Patients

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A retrospective study shows that some patients presenting for pediatric rheumatology evaluation test positive for celiac disease—some without showing any gastrointestinal manifestations. Treatment includes a gluten-free diet…

Adalimumab, Tacrolimus Effective for Treating Refractory Ulcerative Colitis

Will Boggs, MD  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The human IgG1 anti-TNF antibody adalimumab is safe and effective for short- and long-term treatment, and the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus given short-term brings remission, in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis, according to two new studies in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis. In the first study, online Sept. 21, Dr. Tamas Molnar…

FDA Declines to Expand Approval of Pfizer Arthritis Drug Xeljanz

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—U.S. health regulators declined to approve Pfizer Inc’s oral rheumatoid arthritis drug Xeljanz (tofacitinib) to treat moderate to severe cases of plaque psoriasis, the drugmaker said on Wednesday. Pfizer said it received a complete response letter from the Food and Drug Administration. Such letters typically outline concerns and conditions that must be addressed in order…