Search results for: back pain

Bone Loss Common in Suspected Spondyloarthritis

David Douglas | October 8, 2015

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—More than 40% of patients with early inflammatory back pain suggestive of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) show bone loss over the course of two years, according to French researchers. SpA is known to be associated with bone loss at the spine and the hip and an increased risk of vertebral fractures. To investigate…

Subcutaneous Golimumab in Active Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Arthritis & Rheumatology | September 29, 2015

Patients with non-radiographic axSpA experience reduced mobility and quality of life. In this study, researchers investigated the effect of treatment for nr-axSpA every four weeks with SQ golimumab (GLM). Seventy-one percent of patients in the GLM group achieved ASAS 20 response at Week 16, compared with 40.0% in the control group…

New Labeling for Infused Golimumab; Phase 3 Trial for Romosozumab Promising

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | September 16, 2015

The FDA has approved new labeling for infused golimumab to include measures of mental and physical health. Plus romosozumab meets primary endpoints in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis during a Phase 3 trial…

KeMo Disease: A Newly Recognized Debilitating Musculoskeletal Disease

John F. Beary, MD | September 15, 2015

Dr. Simon Helfgott’s essay, “Barking at the Moon,” in the July 2015 issue of The Rheumatologist, about the unintended consequences of EHRs (electronic health records) prompted me to share my experience regarding the newly recognized KeMo disease. Keyboarding and mouse-clicking (KeMo) activity now consumes about 50% of the medical clinician’s day, as the modern EHRs…

Rheumatology Coding Corner Question: Office Visit for Chronic Idiopathic Gout

From the College | August 17, 2015

Follow-up Visit with Time A 62-year-old male patient returns to the office for a follow-up visit for chronic idiopathic gout without tophi. The patient’s present uric acid level is 4.0, and he is now taking allopurinol 450 mg per day. Previously, he was taken off indapamide due to an increase in his uric acid. He…

Many Psoriasis Patients Have Undiagnosed Arthritis

Kathryn Doyle | June 23, 2015

(Reuters Health)—Up to 15% of people with psoriasis have undiagnosed arthritis that’s related to the skin condition, according to a new review. “The important takeaway,” said Dr. Abby Van Voorhees, director of the Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, “would be that further education is needed…

Rheumatology Coding Corner Question: Trigger-Point Injections for Fibromyalgia

From the College | June 15, 2015

A 65-year-old established female patient returns to the office for a follow-up visit for her diagnosis of fibromyalgia. She complains of pain, stiffness and swelling in her left hand, elbow and neck that is persistent since her last visit. The pain is considerably worse in the morning. She denies any fevers, cough or dyspnea. The…