On May 6, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Arthritis Advisory Committee narrowly voted in support of avacopan, a C5a receptor inhibitor, for the treatment of adult patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis. Although the panelists were excited about the possibility of a steroid-sparing therapy, some raised questions about whether results from…
On Dec. 17, 1903, at 10:35 a.m., the restraining wire was released. The Wright brothers—Orville and Wilbur—owned a bicycle sales and repair shop called the Wright Cycle Exchange, in Dayton, Ohio. At the time, the popularity of bicycles was exploding, thanks to an innovation that made them much easier (and safer) to ride. The money…
Pulmonary manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) include pleuritis, acute pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, shrinking lung syndrome and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). DAH is a rare, but devastating, complication of SLE, with high mortality rates. The incidence of DAH in SLE ranges from 0.6% to 5.4%, but the mortality rate…
With a large percentage of the U.S. population unsure whether they will get vaccinated against COVID-19, rheumatology patients remain vulnerable. On May 13, the ACR hosted a virtual town hall highlighting ways rheumatology providers might effectively approach their patients who have not yet decided to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Get the Slow Yes At the…
A delayed second dose of an mRNA vaccine may provide better protection against COVID-19 in elderly patients.
In the early 1900s, the treatment for rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) was primarily targeted at symptomatic relief and included analgesics, physical therapy, splinting and bed rest. With the discovery of methotrexate and its impact on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management, a much-needed evolution of medications targeting disease activity began. Over the past 30 years, several…
Hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccination persists nationwide, although it varies among regions and sociodemographic groups.
As insurers phase out pandemic-related flexibilities, many are raising new obstacles to try to limit their financial exposure.
Laura Coates, MBChB, MRCP, PhD, described & compared the intricacies of different outcome measures, as well as implications for clinical practice & trials, for patients with psoriatic arthritis.
Vision loss, implications of treatment and more—Sarah Mackie, BMBCh, PhD, MRCP, discussed the latest research on the evaluation and management of giant cell arteritis.
Convex-walking shoes, dietary supplements, advancements in nerve growth factor inhibitors and more—Xavier Chevalier gave an overview and new insights into treatments for osteoarthritis.
Filip Van den Bosch, MD, described his strategies for caring for patients with SpA and the possibility of achieving disease inactivity.
Patients’ questions about pro- and anti-inflammatory diets can be challenging to address. Dr. Elena Nikiphorou provided insight into the latest research regarding the role of diet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
PRSYM—At its heart, the practice of medicine in all forms is specifically centered on delivering compassionate, thoughtful and evidence-based clinical care. In the world of pediatric rheumatology, a range of issues, such as chronic pain, reproductive health and transitioning to adult providers, are of utmost importance to patients and physicians alike. These topics were addressed…
Experts provide insights into spondyloarthropathy, temporomandibular joint involvement and imaging for pediatric patients with JIA.
JIA can manifest in a variety of ways. Experts discuss the implications of uveitis, systemic disease and lung involvement in sJIA.
Weighing treatment options and adjusting them to meet the needs of patients with JIA is a complicated process. Experts discussed factors influencing treatment options, optimizing treatment doses and possibilities for treatment withdrawal for these patients.
Amid rising drug costs and the growing influence of pharmacy benefit managers on patient care decisions, physicians are increasingly called upon to advocate for affordable, evidence-based treatments for their patients.
Based on data from two phase 3 clinical trials, Health Canada has approved the use of upadacitinib to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis.
In an efficacy and safety study of guselkumab, patients with active psoriatic arthritis taking guselkumab showed continued skin clearance and joint symptom relief, as well as statistically significant inhibition of joint damage, after two years.
In 2016, as part of the Simple Tasks campaign, the ACR established September as Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM) to draw attention to the 100-plus conditions under the rheumatic disease umbrella. The goal of RDAM is not only to raise public awareness, but also to increase understanding about the symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, economic…
The Rheumatology Research Foundation is proud to announce the launch of RheumBuilders, a new community of monthly donors, and the relaunch of its Legacy Society, a community of donors who have included the Foundation in their wills or estate plans. These initiatives are designed to deepen the Foundation’s commitment to rheumatology research and patient care,…
At the recent Florida Society of Rheumatology meeting, ACR executive vice president Steven Echard, IOM, CAE, emphasized the role of collaborations with state organizations in the ACR’s plans to modernize and expand its activities and offerings.
Example 1 A cardiologist contacts a rheumatologist concerning a lupus patient. The rheumatologist sees the patient four weeks later for a complete examination. A 20-minute call is initiated to review the findings and the patient’s chart with the cardiologist. After the call is completed, the rheumatologist completes a verbal and written report to the patient’s…