Video: Knock on Wood| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice

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Figure 2: High-resolution computed tomography showed evidence of interstitial lung disease.

High-resolution computed tomography shows evidence of ILD.

The ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice, a video
In collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians, the ACR released two new comprehensive guidelines aimed at improving the screening, monitoring, and treatment of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Recently, Sindhu R. Johnson, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, director of the Toronto Scleroderma Program and principal investigator for the guideline, and Elana J. Bernstein, MD, MSc, Florence Irving associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University, New York City, and co-first author, presented a webinar to talk about how the guidelines were developed and present some of the recommendations and their rationale: Watch the recording now!

 

New GIOP Guidelines Available

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The ACR published new recommendations for the management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in the November issue of Arthritis Care & Research. These guidelines have been endorsed by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. They apply to adult patients receiving oral glucocorticoid therapy.

Naturally Occurring Antibodies May Lead to New RA Therapies

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A study published in the Journal of Immunology indicates that naturally occurring antibodies in the human immune system have the capacity to suppress inflammatory responses throughout the body. These antibodies may provide researchers an opportunity to develop new therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory conditions using similar pathways.

2011 Legislative Outlook Important for Rheumatology

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Next year is shaping up to be an important year for rheumatology on Capitol Hill. Issues that remain unresolved by the last Congress include concerns within the Affordable Care Act, the need for a stable Medicare system with fair physician reimbursement, funding for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program, and appropriate reimbursement for specialty care. Most congressional leaders, newly elected or re-elected, know very little about arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. That is why it is critical that rheumatology professionals reach out and educate them on the importance of specialty care and the impact these diseases have on one’s quality of life.