Mary Beth Nierengarten is a writer, editor and journalist with over 25 years of medical communications experience. She is a regular contributor to a number of online and print publications and writes in most clinical areas, as well as on health policy and economic issues. She lives in Minneapolis and can be reached at [email protected].
Studies highlighting the large numbers of people affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA) point to what clinicians who treat knee OA have been seeing for the past few decades: a substantial increase in the prevalence of knee OA in the U.S. and globally. Roughly 250 million people are affected by knee OA worldwide, and about 14…
The data tell the story. Despite improvements in overall outcomes for common rheumatologic conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), white patients fare better than minority patients, and sometimes substantially better. Even with new biologic therapies that have significantly altered the course of disease for patients with RA, outcomes for minorities…
A new biologic agent for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being tested in clinical trials is showing promise as a safe and effective new treatment, particularly in patients with more severe disease or serologically active disease. Recently published results of a study that examined the safety and efficacy of atacicept for SLE showed the…
Like other areas of medicine, rheumatology is facing a significant workforce shortage. As documented in a recently published study by the ACR, the demand for rheumatology clinical services is expected to exceed the supply of rheumatology providers by 2030.1 Without a concerted effort to explore ways to retain rheumatology providers in the workforce, this imbalance…
Can principles from engineering provide a broader understanding of how the human skeleton works and be used to help prevent a common and often consequential event for people as they age—bone fractures? Research from a team of investigators that includes orthopedic surgeons and mechanical engineers suggests that, yes, looking at how engineered materials, such as…
On July 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed plan for changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2019.1 Citing the need to reduce paperwork and improve patient care, the CMS detailed a number of changes to payments physicians receive from Medicare that could have a significant impact on…
On Sept. 23–25, the ACR will once again hold its annual Advocates for Arthritis fly-in event in Washington, D.C. Held in conjunction with the ACR’s Advocacy 101 course, the fly-in is a great way for members and their patients to learn about issues important to the practice of rheumatology and have the opportunity to actively…
Responding to the Trump administration’s drug pricing proposals, the ACR released a set of principles it hopes will help guide any drug policy changes.1 The principles underscore what is critically needed for rheumatologists to provide the best and safest care to their patients, many of whom require ongoing treatment for chronic conditions. “The ACR has…
ACR/ARHP leaders are once again heading to Washington, D.C., to advocate for legislation important to rheumatologists and their patients. On May 16–18, more than 100 representatives of the ACR Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Government Affairs Committee, RheumPAC, Committee on Rheumatologic Care, Insurance Subcommittee and Affiliate Society Council and others will talk to members of…
For patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA), pain management and maintaining function are primary therapy goals. Current guidelines offer recommendations on nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to addressing these issues in hip OA. For patients in whom pharmacologic management is considered, the use of intra-articular steroid injections is one option. In its 2012 guidelines (the most current…