A recent study advances the understanding of factors associated with a target serum urate level of 6 mg/dL or less. Researchers found such factors as having a rheumatologist as the main provider of gout care contributed to achieving and maintaining this outcome. However, the presence of co-morbidities lowered a patient’s chances for achieving the target serum urate level, even with allopurinol use…
Historically, ankylosing spondylitis was considered mainly a male disease. But it has become evident this predominance is not as great as previously believed. Here we discuss recent developments in the area, including potential differences between the sexes in symptom and disease burden, immunological and genetic background, diagnostic delay, treatment response and ongoing research questions. Medical…
More than 72,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2017, according to the National Institutes of Health.1 The impact of the opioid epidemic has affected many levels of patient care and, as a result, healthcare systems are responding to escalating death rates, new legislation and the possibility of compromised patient safety in a multitude of…
Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a life-threatening complication of systemic sclerosis. SRC occurs in 2–15% of patients with diffuse sclerosis and usually within the first five years from the time of diagnosis. Risk factors for SRC include, but are not limited to, early diagnosis, corticosteroid or cyclosporine use, and the presence of anti-RNA polymerase III…
The traditional model for subspecialist consultations on hospitalized patients by outpatient-based rheumatologists may seem straightforward. Hospitalists (the inpatient specialists who now manage most in-hospital medical care in the majority of U.S. hospitals) typically call upon the rheumatologist’s expertise for joint swelling and a rash or fever of unknown origin, says Lianne Gensler, MD, of the…
When I first met Ms. Miller (name changed), quite frankly, I couldn’t wait to get out of the room. I’m sure she couldn’t either. A woman in her 40s with systemic lupus erythematosus, poorly controlled asthma and fibromyalgia, she seemed to have every conceivable symptom. And, worse than that, due to a long history of…
Rheumatologists want to be the best clinicians possible, provide consistently exceptional care to patients and serve as role models for colleagues and trainees. In the Lessons from a Master Clinician series, we offer insights from clinicians who have achieved a level of distinction in the field of rheumatology. Michael H. Weisman, MD, is a professor…
A session at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting will help rheumatologists navigate current payment systems and identify resources to ensure appropriate reimbursement for complex care.
Three clinical experts on gout offer their insights into common management errors, clinical pearls, new safety data from the FDA and the role of biologic therapies in the management of gout.
Take the challenge. Answer: No, if billed as incident-to for the NP. Note: The patient’s current insurance carrier is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS of MA). Under BCBS of MA, nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner primary care providers are not allowed to perform or interpret radiology services. Therefore, the physician would have to…