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!
Two new studies delving into the relative safety of biologic drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have concluded that real-world applications of abatacept and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi’s) are comparable to more conventional therapies in their associated risk of serious infections. Triple Therapy One study, in Arthritis Care & Research, found the risk of…
ACR volunteer leaders and staff will convene more than 100 meetings via teleconference with Congressional leaders on May 22, addressing rheumatology provider solvency and patient access to care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is rescinding changes to its Orencia policy previously scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2020. These changes would have required patients to fail to respond to the self-administered formulation of the drug prior to obtaining authorization for the physician-administered product. Some patients on Orencia received notices from UHC in late April stating…
Miller-Archie et al. set out to determine whether dust exposure and PTSD are associated with an increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease in a 9/11-exposed cohort not included in previous studies of members of the Fire Department of New York and whether this association differs between 9/11 responders and community members.
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of health insurers seeking $12 billion from the federal government under a program set up by the Obamacare law aimed at encouraging them to offer medical coverage to previously uninsured Americans. The 8–1 ruling authored by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor paves the way for a significant one-time…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the blood of U.S. adolescents and adults has increased over the past 30 years, signaling a rise in autoimmunity, researchers say. “It is not known if these same increases are occurring in other parts of the world, but because ANA are associated with many autoimmune…
Two rheumatologists offer advice on patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 global pandemic is forcing telemedicine-only connections with patients and bringing existing rheumatology research to a standstill. However, these challenges are spurring opportunity and innovation, according to Vaneet K. Sandhu, MD, FACR, RhMSUS, director of rheumatology clinical operations at Riverside University Health System and associate fellowship program director in rheumatology at Loma Linda University…
Investing in rheumatology training is essential to building a strong and capable workforce. Clinician educators are responsible for developing educational programs, instructing rheumatologists to meet accreditation standards and promoting an atmosphere of quality care for patients. Although clinician educators play a critical role in attracting the next generation of rheumatology professionals, faculty pursuing careers as…
A 17-year-old girl presents to the pediatric rheumatology clinic for follow-up of recently diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) characterized by class IV lupus nephritis, photosensitive rash and antiphospholid antibody positivity. She is currently being treated with prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine. She is accompanied by her mother, who has been very involved in the patient’s…