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

Newer Biologics for RA on Par with TNF-Inhibitors for CV Risk

Laura Newman  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The newer disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis appear to offer the same or even better cardiovascular (CV) protection than older tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, hints a large study. “We really haven’t had a good understanding on where the non-TNF biologics and CV risk stand,” Dr. Jeffrey R. Curtis of the University…

Tocilizumab Plus Methotrexate Faster Fix in Some with RA

David Douglas  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate, adding tocilizumab to the regimen is more effective than simply switching to tocilizumab, according to Japanese researchers. Dr. Tsutomu Takeuchi told Reuters Health by email that the approach “more rapidly suppressed inflammation than tocilizumab switched from methotrexate, leading to superior clinical…

Theranos Lab May Pose Jeopardy to Patient Health

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—Deficient practices at a lab operated by blood-testing startup Theranos pose “immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety,” the U.S. government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said in a letter to the company released on Wednesday. Theranos, founded and led by Elizabeth Holmes, has been in the spotlight after reports in the Wall Street…

1% of U.S. Doctors Responsible for a Third of Malpractice Payments

Gene Emery  |  

(Reuters Health)—Just one out of every 100 U.S. doctors is responsible for 32% of the malpractice claims that result in payments to patients, according to a comprehensive study of 15 years’ worth of cases. And when a doctor has to pay out one claim, the chances are good that the same physician will soon be…

Authors Should Share Clinical Trial Data

Will Boggs, MD  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Authors should agree to share deidentified patient data as a condition for publication of a clinical trial report, according to a proposal from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). “Our patients generously and selflessly volunteer to participate in clinical trials on the promise that the knowledge gained will be used…

VA Musculoskeletal Education Pilot Program Helps PCPs Treat Patients

Arthritis Care & Research  |  

To improve access to quality of care for patients with osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal pain, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a continuing education program designed to strengthen the musculoskeletal knowledge and skills of primary care providers (PCPs). In the program’s initial trial in 2012, 19 physicians were trained on exams, treatments and joint injections. Two years after course completion, some participants increased the number of intraarticular corticosteroid injections at their clinics without needing to refer patients to specialists…

U.S. Sen. Markey Places Hold on Obama’s Nominee to Lead FDA

Toni Clarke  |  

(Reuters)—U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) said on Monday he has placed a hold on President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration until the agency agrees to reform its process for approving opioid painkillers. Markey wants future opioid-approval matters to be reviewed by an FDA advisory committee, and believes the committee…