ACR Convergence 2023| ANCA-Associated Vasculitis| Psoriatic Arthritis

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

Clinical Criteria/Guidelines

Updates in Vasculitis Criteria, Guidelines & Medications

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BALTIMORE—2022 was an exciting year in the field of vasculitis, not least of all because the ACR and EULAR released classification criteria for several forms. This development came just one year after the release of ACR/Vasculitis Foundation (VF) guidelines on the management of a number of vasculitides. With so much new information to be absorbed,…

ACR Releases Update to Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Guideline

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The ACR recently released an update on the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.1 The guideline, which includes information on the new therapies abaloparatide and romosozumab, emphasizes the importance of shared decision making by patients and clinicians, and also gives information on the importance of sequential therapy after stopping certain osteoporotic prevention therapies. Fracture Prevention…

Conflicts of Interest in Guideline Development: What to Do When Everyone Has a Conflict

Anne R. Bass, MD  |  

Avoiding real and apparent conflicts of interest is a fundamental principle of guideline development, but what should we do when every thought leader is conflicted? An example of this conundrum in rheumatology has been the ACR’s ongoing effort to establish guidelines for the management of lupus nephritis, which has been stymied by the fact that…

ACR Releases New Vaccination Guideline

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The ACR recently released its first guideline focused on vaccination in adult and pediatric patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.1 The guideline recommends modifications to certain vaccine and medication schedules to increase immunogenicity and ensure patient safety, while encouraging providers not to miss vaccination opportunities. The Need Patients with rheumatic conditions who are on immunosuppressive…

An Integrative Approach to the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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PHILADELPHIA—It is often the case that a holistic approach to the management of autoimmune disease is what patients are looking for and may indeed provide optimal care for these patients. At ACR Convergence 2022, the session titled ACR Guideline for Physical, Psychosocial, Mind-Body and Nutritional Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Integrative Approach to Treatment sought…

A Shot of Wisdom: Vaccinations in Patients with Rheumatic Disease

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PHILADELPHIA—The treatment of rheumatic diseases is often a double-edged sword: immunosuppressive regimens can be very effective in reducing disease activity, but the cost of such treatments may be seen in the form of increased risk of infection. At ACR Convergence 2022, the session titled ACR Guidelines for Vaccination in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases…

Updated Guideline Introduces Recommendations for Prevention & Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis

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ATLANTA—The ACR released a summary of its updated guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in September. Many patients take glucocorticoids for a variety of inflammatory conditions, and anyone who is taking glucocorticoid medications and has other risk factors for osteoporosis increases their risk of developing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. New osteoporosis medications and new…

Vasculitis Guidelines in Focus, Part 6: Giant Cell Arteritis

Michael Putman, MD  |  

In 2021, the ACR—in concert with the Vasculitis Foundation (VF)—released four new vasculitis guidelines, one each on: 1) anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis, 2) giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis, 3) polyarteritis nodosa and 4) Kawasaki disease. The guideline development process is complex. For the vasculitis guidelines, this process kicked off in June…