Patient education has always been at the core of the nursing profession. Nurses pride themselves on being great teachers and patient advocates. When self-injectable biologics were first introduced to the market, one of the main goals was to make patients independent and put them in the driver’s seat of their own care. Yet without a… [Read More]
ROME, Italy—Even with classification criteria that have been updated and refined over time, rheumatoid arthritis is still a diagnosis that ultimately has to be made with clinical judgment, said Ronald van Vollenhoven, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and chief of clinical therapy research in inflammatory diseases at the Karolinska University in Sweden. His remarks came… [Read More]
The costs of some disease-modifying therapies outpace prescription drug inflation, saddling insured patients with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket payments and delayed or denied coverage, two new studies have shown. Disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis are rising in cost five to seven times faster than inflation and cost more in the United States than in… [Read More]
How vaccines, medications and rheumatic disease-related effects on immune system interact... [Read More]
Clinical trials on rheumatology drugs, including sarilumab, show promise for patients with rheumatoid arthritis also taking methotrexate... [Read More]
In October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directed carriers to again include three biologics in Medicare Part B coverage. (posted Nov. 19)... [Read More]
At its February meeting, the ACR board of directors approved the Model Biologics Policy, which will be used when discussing guidelines and patients’ quality of treatment with health insurance companies.... [Read More]
With the rapid expansion of new classes of medications, clinical practice has changed dramatically, and rheumatology health professionals must have a fundamental knowledge of immunology and the mechanisms of action of the biologic agents that have emerged with this expansion. Familiarity with the predrug screening recommended for biologic agents and the appropriate safety and disease monitoring necessary when a person uses these products is essential for the best patient outcomes. Additionally, being able to obtain drug plan authorization for use of biologics and being able to educate patients and their families or support team members about the financial considerations of these drugs helps to ensure best rheumatology practice.... [Read More]
On June 9, Josh Brinks, BSN, MSN, FNP, will address the management of office infusions during the ARHP June audioconference/webcast.... [Read More]
(Reuters Health)—Many pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may achieve low disease activity in the third trimester with a modern treatment regimen that includes anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) medications, a recent study suggests. Researchers examined data on 309 patients with RA who were pregnant or trying to conceive and who were treated with modern treat-to-target… [Read More]