Video: Knock on Wood| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss

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

  • Conditions
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout and Crystalline Arthritis
    • Myositis
    • Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders
    • Pain Syndromes
    • Pediatric Conditions
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sjögren’s Disease
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
    • Systemic Sclerosis
    • Vasculitis
    • Other Rheumatic Conditions
  • FocusRheum
    • ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout
    • Lupus Nephritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Guidance
    • Clinical Criteria/Guidelines
    • Ethics
    • Legal Updates
    • Legislation & Advocacy
    • Meeting Reports
      • ACR Convergence
      • Other ACR meetings
      • EULAR/Other
    • Research Rheum
  • Drug Updates
    • Analgesics
    • Biologics/DMARDs
  • Practice Support
    • Billing/Coding
    • EMRs
    • Facility
    • Insurance
    • QA/QI
    • Technology
    • Workforce
  • Opinion
    • Patient Perspective
    • Profiles
    • Rheuminations
      • Video
    • Speak Out Rheum
  • Career
    • ACR ExamRheum
    • Awards
    • Career Development
  • ACR
    • ACR Home
    • ACR Convergence
    • ACR Guidelines
    • Journals
      • ACR Open Rheumatology
      • Arthritis & Rheumatology
      • Arthritis Care & Research
    • From the College
    • Events/CME
    • President’s Perspective
  • Search

The Rheumatologist: May 2022

Bernard Chantal / shutterstock.com

Diagnostic Challenges of MIS-C

Brian L.P. Dizon, MD, PhD, & Sangeeta Sule, MD, PhD  |  May 12, 2022

During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in Washington, D.C., we were asked to evaluate a 14-year-old boy admitted to the pediatric hospitalist service. He had been healthy until two weeks before, when he noted a sore throat, and soon after he developed fevers and rashes without congestion, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis or swollen lymph…

Set Up to Fail: The Criminalization of Clinical Practice

Philip Seo, MD, MHS  |  May 12, 2022

On Dec. 27, 2017, RaDonda Vaught killed Charlene Murphey, allegedly. Ms. Murphey was a lifelong resident of Gallatin, a suburb of Nashville, Tenn. She was well known from having worked at the local Walmart for 24 years, before she retired in 2012, when she was 65 years old.1 On Dec. 24, 2017, she was helping…

The ACR’s Strategic Plan: 2022-27

Evelyn Hsieh, MD, PhD, R. Swamy Venuturupalli, MD, FACR, & Kenneth Saag, MD, MSc  |  May 12, 2022

After months of hard work—and with insightful input from many ACR/ARP members, staff, committees and the Board of Directors—we are pleased to introduce the ACR’s 2022–27 strategic plan. This plan sets the stage for our numerous activities in the next few years and cultivates innovational approaches to support our diverse membership. This new plan will…

2 New Clinical Practice Guidelines for JIA Released

Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD  |  April 20, 2022

Two new ACR Clinical Practice Guidelines provide recommendations on the pharmacologic management of JIA, focusing on treatment of oligoarthritis, temporomandibular arthritis & systemic JIA, as well as nonpharmacologic therapies, medication monitoring, immunizations & imaging.

ACR Image Competition 2021 Results, Part 3: Erosive Polyarticular Tophaceous Gout

Wendy Wan Hui Lee, MD, MRCP(UK); FEATURED IMAGE FROM EAST ASIA & PACIFIC  |  May 12, 2022

Erosive Polyarticular Chronic Tophaceous Gout in a Young Man A 27-year-old man was referred to us for joint pain and nodular swelling over multiple joints. His symptoms started when he was 13 years old, but he was sub-optimally treated. On examination, we found marked digital deformity, with multiple large tophi over the small joints of…

Will an App to Monitor Patient Outcomes Improve RA Disease Activity?

Arthritis & Rheumatology  |  July 26, 2021

Lee et al. examined the use of a smartphone application to monitor longitudinal electronic patient-reported outcomes on satisfaction and disease activity in patients with RA.

Recent Research: Study Summaries from Arthritis Care & Research

Meghan Angley, PhD, & S. Sam Lim, MD, Tiffany Dharia, MD, & Michael George, MD, Emily F. Neves Yuki, PhD, & Eloisa Bonfa, PhD  |  May 12, 2022

Lupus & Perinatal Outcomes Adverse perinatal outcomes before & after diagnosis with systemic lupus erythematosus among African American Women By Meghan Angley, PhD, & S. Sam Lim, MD Why was this study done? Previous studies have suggested that women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may experience adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm and small-for-gestational-age birth, in…

Case Report: An Uncommon Incidental Finding

Mia Robb Stahler & Michael Rosen, M  |  May 11, 2022

In certain ethnic populations and geographic locations, being a genetic carrier of sickle cell trait is common. Despite its prevalence, a recent report studied 100 mothers who were informed their newborn child had tested positive for sickle cell trait, and of these mothers less than half were aware of their carrier status prior to conception.1…

Brandon Crawford / shutterstock.com

Case Report: Blunt Smoker Denies Tobacco Use, Delaying Diagnosis

Rachel E. Elam, MD, ScM, Vishal Arora, MD, & Alyce M. Oliver, PhD, MD  |  May 12, 2022

Cannabis arteritis mirrors thrombo­angiitis obliterans in its clinical and arteriographic presentation, but its relevant exposure is cannabis rather than tobacco.1 Whether cannabis arteritis is a subset of thromboangiitis obliterans or a unique pathologic entity is debatable. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, is a peripheral vasoconstrictor.2 This offers mechanistic insight into how cannabis may…

Case Report: Lipoma Arborescens of the Knee

John Nawrocki, MD, Kevin Hess, DO, & Maryah Mansoor, MBBS  |  May 12, 2022

Lipoma arborescens is a rare, benign intra-articular lesion characterized by diffuse replacement of synovial tissue by mature adipocytes, causing a villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovial membrane.1 Typically, this is a mono­articular condition, with the knee being the most commonly affected although it has been rarely reported to occur in an oligo-/polyarticular fashion and in…

Case Report: MPA Hiding in Plain Sight

Benjamin Aronow, MD, Eduardo Mantovani Cardoso, MD, Steffi Thomas, DO, Prashant Grover, MD, & Weishali Joshi, MD  |  May 12, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has filled hospitals with patients with rapidly progressive respiratory failure and diffuse bilateral opacities on chest X-ray.1 Additionally, many patients with severe COVID-19 develop acute kidney injury and require dialysis.2 Pulmonary-renal syndromes are also important to consider in this setting. Although alveolar hemorrhage is a cardinal feature of this syndrome, many patients…

Research Roundup: Abstract Data Presented at ACR Convergence 2021

Keri Losavio  |  February 11, 2022

The research presented at ACR Convergence 2021 had a broad scope. Below are details on three studies that addressed cardiovascular safety in treat-to-target strategies, phase 2 study results on the efficacy of tigulixostat and the impact of patient preference on treatment adherence. Take our quiz after you read this article. Treat to Target Abstract L06:…

Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Arthritis & Rheumatology  |  March 1, 2022

In March A&R, Remaeus et al. reported on the results of their study, which evaluated pregnancy outcomes in relation to anti-rheumatic treatment before and during pregnancy, as a proxy of disease severity in pregnant women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), compared with those without PsA.

Real-Life Rheumatology: Clinical Pearls for Psoriatic Arthritis

Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR  |  March 23, 2022

At the 17th Annual Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Rheumatic Diseases meeting, Ana-Maria Orbai, MD, MHS, discussed lessons learned from the cases of several patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Lightspring / shutterstock.com

Study Finds Potential Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk in Women with Lupus

Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd  |  May 12, 2022

When it comes to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cardio­vascular events (CVEs), the rheumatology community is woefully lacking in information, say researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Their recent work on biomarkers associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events in women with…

MedNet Community Supports Physician Queries & Knowledge Sharing

Mithu Maheswaranathan, MD  |  May 12, 2022

A clinical conundrum that rheumatologists often face is making a diagnostic or therapeutic decision in the absence of evidence-based data to guide clinical decision making. MedNet is a digital community of physicians created to improve knowledge sharing among physicians and help ensure patients get the highest quality care. The goal of the platform, according to…

The ACR Seeks Trainees for AMA/Specialty Society RUC & CPT Committees

From the College  |  April 8, 2022

Advisors of the American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Relative Value Update (RUC) Committees play a crucial role in the code creation and valuation process. These positions allow the ACR to have a significant voice in influencing changes and ensuring rheumatology services are effectively represented.

Broadcasting Rheumatology Information to Wider Audiences

Kelly Tyrrell  |  February 3, 2022

Since starting the ACR on Air podcast in 2019, Mohammad Ursani, MD, FACP, RhMSUS, has become chair of the Committee on Communications and Marketing. Here, he shares some plans for the ACR website, podcast and more.

Study: Don’t Automatically Blame Burnout on Electronic Health Records

Leslie Mertz, PhD  |  May 12, 2022

When it comes to experiencing burnout, time spent in an electronic health records (EHR) system appears to be only a minor contributing factor. Although clinicians and other healthcare professionals may log many hours at the keyboard putting information into the EHR, other factors likely play a bigger role in the workplace exhaustion and feelings of…

The ACR Launches Initiative to Tackle Workforce Shortage

Mary Beth Nierengarten  |  May 12, 2022

The growing rheumatologist workforce shortage has loomed over the profession, threatening to undercut the delivery of care to the increasing number of patients with rheumatic conditions. “The workforce shortage is an existential threat to the field of rheumatology and to the care we deliver to our patients,” says ACR President Kenneth Saag, MD, who lauded…

Lessons from Master Clinicians: An Interview with Dr. Jonathan Kay

Jason Liebowitz, MD  |  May 12, 2022

Rheumatologists who are outstanding clinicians, providing consistently exceptional care to patients and serving as role models for colleagues and trainees, are highlighted in our Lessons from a Master Clinician series. Here, we offer insights from clinicians who have achieved a level of distinction in the field of rheumatology. Jonathan Kay, MD, is professor of medicine,…

‘Nothing but NET[osis]’: RheumMadness 2022 Anti-NET Antibodies Scouting Report

The UNC Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Leah Bettner, MD; Shruti Chandramouli, MD; Christopher Overton, MD; Astia Allenzara, MD; Michael Cunningham, MD; & Luis Palomino, MD  |  February 8, 2022

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases. And research has shown that patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have higher levels of circulating anti-NET antibodies than healthy controls, indicating a potential biomarker.

Order in the Inflammatory Mess: RheumMadness 2022 Cytokine Networks Scouting Report

Rheumatology Leadership Team: David Leverenz, MD; Akrithi Udupa, MD; Guy Katz, MD; Lauren He, MD; Ben Kellog, MD; Michael Macklin, MD; Courtney Bair; Matthew Sparks, MD; & Lisa Criscione-Schreiber, MD, MEd  |  February 8, 2022

Research has identified and described a pro-inflammatory cytokine network shared by four rheumatic conditions that may be particularly active in patients with severe disease.

Targeting Disease-Causing Cells: RheumMadness 2022 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Scouting Report

Mass General Hospital Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Guy Katz, MD; Ian Cooley, MD; Duncan Moore, MD; Jacquelyn Nestor, MD, PhD; & Steven Witte, MD, PhD  |  February 8, 2022

CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies may have the potential to treat rheumatic diseases in which current therapeutic options are limited, such as lupus, interstitial lung disease and systemic sclerosis.

An Oral Targeted Therapy: RheumMadness 2022 Pim Kinases Scouting Report

Residents from the RheumMadness Leadership Team: Michael Macklin, MD, PharmD; Ben Kellogg, MD; Lauren He, MD; & David Leverenz, MD  |  February 8, 2022

According to research, Pim kinases contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may have the therapeutic potential for inhibition in patients with RA.

Standing on a Hidden Burden: The Oft-Overlooked Problem of Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis

Regeneration: RheumMadness 2022 Axolotl Limbs Scouting Report

Wake Forest School of Medicine Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Khiem Vu, MD; Alyssa Strazanac, MD; John Herion, DO; & Rami Diab, MD  |  February 14, 2022

Daily living, such as walking, jumping and going up stairs, can be difficult for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Research on the regenerative limbs of the axolotl and the human ankle provides insights into the potential of this process in humans and its implications for hip, knee and ankle OA.

Ancient Arthritis: RheumMadness 2022 Dinosaur SpA Scouting Report

Virginia Commonwealth University Rheumatology Fellowship Program: David Shoemaker, MD; Evan Dombrosky, MD; Nima Madanchi, MD; Abhishek Nandan, MD; & Huzaefah Syed, MD  |  February 14, 2022

Spondyloarthropathy is an ancient form of arthritis shared by multiple orders and classes of the animal kingdom. Camarasaurus, a genus of quadrupedal, herbivorous dinosaur, holds the record for the earliest known case of spondyloarthropathy—147 million years ago.

Searching for a Cure for OA: RheumMadness 2022 Dog OA Scouting Report

Ohio State University Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Nina Couette, DO; Jesse Reisner, DO; & Sheryl Mascarenhas, MD, Fellowship Program Director  |  February 14, 2022

Editor’s note: RheumMadness is the place for everyone crazy about rheumatology to connect, collaborate, compete and learn together. During RheumMadness, rheumatology concepts represent teams that compete against each other in a tournament, much like basketball teams do in the NCAA’s March Madness tournament. In a series for The Rheumatologist, readers will get a chance to…

A Unique Breed: RheumMadness 2022 Dalmatian Urate Scouting Report

University of Texas Southwestern Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Kubra Bugdayli, MD; Brett Capel, MD; Yusuf Chao, MD; Melissa DeFoe, MD; Daniel Emesiani, MD; Joad Eseddi, MD; Nagendra Pokala, MD; Komal Patel, MD; Bonnie Bermas, MD; Haidy Galous, MD; Andreas Reimold, MD; & Guillermo Andres Quiceno, MD  |  February 14, 2022

Dalmatians have defects in the renal tubular reabsorption of filtered urate and the hepatic conversion of uric acid to allantoin that may provide unique insights into uric acid homeostasis, with implications for the treatment and management of gout.

A Possible Diagnostic Tool: RheumMadness 2022 AI: JIA Subtypes Scouting Report

The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Alisha Akinsete, MD; Malki Peskin, MD; & Jessica Perfetto, MD  |  February 14, 2022

Machine learning is a tool that may help pediatric rheumatologists distinguish between different subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and predict treatment response.

Beyond Trial & Error: RheumMadness 2022 AI: TNFi Response Scouting Report

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Saja Almaaitah, MD; Shashank Cheemalavagu, MD; Rupal Shastri, MD; Perry Fuchs, MD; Melany Gonzalez Orta, MD; & James Vondenberg, DO  |  February 14, 2022

As the capabilities of machine learning and artificial intelligence improve, rheumatologists have access to more data than ever, which may enable them to better predict which patients will respond to specific treatments, such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Another Way: RheumMadness 2022 DECT in Gout Scouting Report

MedStar Georgetown Washington Hospital Center: Leen Al Saleh, MD; Ajita Acharya, MD; Elena Obreja, MD; & Akrithi U. Garren, MD  |  February 14, 2022

Research has found dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) may be a non-invasive and cost-effective option to help rheumatologists more accurately diagnose gout.

Get the Picture: RheumMadness 2022 PET-CT in Large Vessel Vasculitis Scouting Report

Medical University of South Carolina Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Sean Carter, MD; Jessica English, MD; Brad Collins, DO; Ana Tucker, MD; Jen Schmidt, MD; Whitney Elg-Salsman, DO; & Faye Hant, DO  |  February 14, 2022

With both impressive sensitivity and specificity in capturing active large vessel vasculitis, a positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a potential tool for determining disease activity and predicting relapse in patients with large vessel vasculitis.

Conversation: RheumMadness 2022 Reproductive Health Guide Scouting Report

Duke University Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Catherine Sims, MD; Sonali Bracken, MD, PhD; Megan Milne, MD; Nathaniel Harris, MD, PhD; Poorva Apte, MD; Lena Eder, MD; Lisa Criscione-Schreiber, MD, Med; Megan Clowse, MD; & David Leverenz, MD  |  March 2, 2022

Rheumatologists play a critical role in the reproductive health of their patients, but only half of rheumatologists currently ask their patients about reproductive health or family planning issues. A new guideline seeks to change that.

Drug Transference in Pregnancy: RheumMadness 2022 TNFi in Cord Blood Scouting Report

University of Chicago Medicine: Lauren He, MD; & Cuoghi Edens, MD  |  March 2, 2022

A study was able to quantify the transference of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Overall, the researchers found low levels of transfer for the treatments studied.

Back to Basics: RheumMadness 2022 Increasing ANA Positivity Scouting Report

University of Chicago School of Medicine: Lauren He, MD; Ana B. Arevalo, MD; & Kichul Ko, MD  |  March 3, 2022

Research has revealed how the prevalence of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity has changed over the past 25 years, raising questions about the role of ANA in autoimmunity and disease.

In the Bones: RheumMadness 2022 False Positive MRI in Axial SpA

University of South Florida Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Anastasiya (Stacy) Bagrova, MD; Shreya Gor, MD; Joanne Valeriano-Marcet, MD; Larry Young, MD; & John Carter, MD  |  March 3, 2022

Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) can be difficult to diagnose, with rheumatologists sometimes relying on classification criteria designed for clinical trials. Research examines how the use of MRIs affects the finding of bone marrow edema and the diagnosis of axial SpA.

Risk of IBD in Patients with Psoriasis, PsA & Ankylosing Spondylitis Starting IL-17 Inhibitors

Arthritis & Rheumatology  |  February 2, 2022

In February A&R, Penso et al. reported on the results of their study, which explored whether patients with psoriasis, PsA and AS have a higher risk of developing IBD when treated with an IL-17 inhibitor compared with apremilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, or etanercept, a TNF inhibitor.

Ethics Forum: Balancing Competing Interests to Meet Patients’ Needs

Charis Meng, MD  |  May 12, 2022

Scenario: A patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents for a follow-up visit. After addressing her inflammatory arthritis symptoms, medications and laboratory results, she is asked if she has any other questions, and she begins describing her chronic low back pain, which has become worse despite physical therapy (PT). She requests stronger medications because her RA…

Rheum After 5: Dr. Umbreen Hasan, Painter

Linda Childers  |  May 12, 2022

A practicing rheumatologist for 20 years, Umbreen Hasan, MD, FACP, MBA, Coon Rapids, Minn., knows how challenging it can be to work through pain. Over the years, she has helped many patients learn how to manage chronic pain so they can continue to pursue the activities they love. Five years ago, after suffering a severe…

FDA Approves Risankizumab-rzaa for PsA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP  |  April 20, 2022

Two recent trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of risankizumab-rzaa for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

Pre-Eclampsia Risk & Rheumatic Disease

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP  |  April 21, 2022

Secher et al. evaluated the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant patients with RA, axSpA or PsA, assessing the effect of disease activity and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on this risk.

Issue Archive

  • About Us
  • Meet the Editors
  • Issue Archives
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss
  • Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. ISSN 1931-3268 (print). ISSN 1931-3209 (online).
  • DEI Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Preferences