Tom Collins is a freelance writer in South Florida, who has written about medical topics from nasty infections to ethical dilemmas, runaway tumors to tornado-chasing doctors. He travels the globe gathering conference health news and lives in West Palm Beach.
COVID-19 vaccinations are safe for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with manageable side effects and a low incidence of flare, according to a recently published study in The Lancet.1 The use of mRNA vaccines, such as those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which have been viewed as riskier than traditional vaccines because of a concern… [Read More]
Experts share insights into how LDL & HDL levels are affected by inflammation & the treatment of rheumatic disease, addressing how targeting these levels may improve cardiovascular outcomes for patients.... [Read More]
Researchers shared findings on the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised patients, insights into cognitive impairment in SLE & more.... [Read More]
ACR Convergence 2021—The Great Debate at the meeting sparked a thoughtful discussion on the future of lupus nephritis treatment strategies, with experts saying clinicians should be open to new ways of approaching patient care. In the past year, approvals of the monoclonal antibody belimumab and the calcineurin inhibitor voclosporin for use in lupus nephritis (when… [Read More]
ACR Convergence 2021—The recent Boxed Warning requirement applied to three Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, cautioning doctors and patients about several major risks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, came only after rigorous data collection and careful consideration of the risks and the benefits, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) officials said in November at ACR Convergence… [Read More]
After a year marked with rheumatology gains in evaluation and management valuation, as well as quality reporting, ongoing ACR efforts target impending Medicare reimbursement cuts and other practice challenges.... [Read More]
Through sessions and Community Hubs, attendees of ACR Convergence 2021 have multiple opportunities to connect with other rheumatology professionals. Here are some helpful tips from panelists.... [Read More]
The ACR’s advocacy efforts over the past year have helped put critical prior authorization and step therapy legislation in front of Congress. Learn more at ACR Convergence 2021.... [Read More]
A new Medscape survey found that rheumatology has the second-highest burnout level among the 29 specialties included, with 50% of the rheumatology respondents saying they’re experiencing “burnout.” To which some rheumatologists are responding: Really? “I was quite surprised by this,” says Beth Jonas, MD, chief of the Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology Division at the University… [Read More]
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Research has shown time and again the benefits and low risk of physical activity for people with rheumatic diseases, but only a third or less of patients meet guidelines for this activity, Patricia Katz, PhD, professor of medicine and health policy at the University of California, San Francisco, said in the ARP Distinguished… [Read More]