Guidance

Subcategories:Clinical Criteria/Guidelines Ethics Legal Updates Legislation & Advocacy Meeting Reports Research Rheum

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!

Applications Now Open for 2022 Advocates for Arthritis

From the College | July 6, 2022

All ACR and ARP members are invited to apply to join colleagues and patients in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19–20 for advocacy training and meetings with legislators to advocate on priority issues that affect rheumatology providers and patients.

Keep ACR’s Advocacy Voice Strong with the American Medical Association

Carina Stanton | July 6, 2022

As the result of years of coalition work with partners at the AMA, the ACR recently celebrated a major advocacy win when the FTC announced an investigation of PBM business practices. Join or renew your AMA membership before Sept. 1 so the ACR can keep delegate seats to drive action within the AMA.

The ACR Responds to Reports of Treatment Denials in Wake of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

From the College | June 30, 2022

The ACR is aware of the emerging concerns surrounding access to needed treatments, such as methotrexate, after the recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. We are following this issue closely to determine if rheumatologists and rheumatology providers and patients are experiencing any widespread difficulty accessing methotrexate, and if any initial disruptions are…

OA Prevalence Primarily on the Rise

Arthritis & Rheumatology | June 29, 2022

Background & Objectives Worldwide, osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent, chronic joint disease that causes pain, disability and loss of function. Global trends demonstrated an increase of more than 100% in years lived with disability due to OA from 1990 to 2019. However, no nonsurgical intervention exists to prevent, halt or even delay OA progression….

ACR-FDA Summit Focuses on Study Design, Safety Considerations

Vanessa Caceres | June 21, 2022

Safety considerations and data sources are crucial to consider when designing studies for rheumatology treatments, according to presenters at the 2022 ACR-FDA Summit.

Kidney Pathology for the Rheumatologist: Tips from an Expert

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | June 18, 2022

Renal biopsy is a valuable tool for the accurate diagnosis and management of patients with kidney involvement due to rheumatic disease. Agnes B. Fogo, MD, shared her expertise on renal pathology and insights into what rheumatologists should know, during a session at the 2022 ACR Education Exchange.

Tips from a Joint Surgeon on What the Rheumatologist Needs to Know

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | June 18, 2022

Hip and knee replacements—despite advancement in treatments for rheumatic diseases, some patients will still need to undergo these surgeries. Here are insights into the considerations, costs and complications of total joint arthroplasty.

How to Help Patients with Chronic Pain

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | June 18, 2022

Pain is more than nociception, and pain management is more than medication. Delia Chiaramonte, MD, provided insights into how rheumatologists can help their patients ease and manage chronic pain.

Challenging Cases in Osteoporosis: Tips from an Expert

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | June 18, 2022

Using three complicated patient cases, Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc, shared his expertise on osteoporosis and walked through his thought process and the literature, during a session of the 2022 ACR Education Exchange.

Without Fear: Psychological Safety for Learners & Patients

Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR | June 18, 2022

Constructing a safe space for reporting errors is important & enables medical trainees to grow, making them better learners and scholars, and faculty members and patients to express their concerns. During a session at the 2022 ACR Education Exchange, Karina Torralba, MD, MACM, RhMSUS, provided insights into how to manage the barriers to fostering such a workplace culture.