The ICD-10 page on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website features a countdown clock that shows the time left until Oct. 1, 2015, the date on which compliance with the new code set becomes mandatory. By the time this issue goes to press, the clock will read 90 or fewer days. Time…
CHICAGO—With the approval of the Jak inhibitors (i.e., jakinibs) tofacitinib and ruxolitinib—and others being investigated—rheumatologists need to arm themselves with an understanding of these drugs so they can think critically when evaluating them and deciding how to use them, said John O’Shea, MD, chief of the Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch of and scientific director…
Chronic insomnia is a common complaint for patients with rheumatic diseases and conditions. In fact, sleep disturbances are among the most common symptoms of both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with more than 50% of chronic pain patients reporting sleep disturbances. Pain combined with insomnia can lead to a vicious cycle, says Ruth Gentry, PhD,…
Questions, concerns and spirited debate have surrounded the Graduate Medical Education (GME) system for decades. The program that trains nearly 120,000 physicians per year is under constant scrutiny.1 Changes to the political landscape, combined with ongoing efforts by health industry payers and regulators to squeeze inefficiency out of the system, have kept the GME in…
Sleep disturbance is an important medical problem, requiring intervention, not simply to reduce latency to its onset, but to ensure achievement of the depth of sleep that has been documented to restore homeostasis and prevent the falls that are responsible for so much morbidity and mortality.1 Sleep disturbance is present in 50% of people over…
Recognizing psychological effects of chronic conditions can help rheumatologists implement multidisciplinary approach to patient care
A profile of individuals recognized for advancing rheumatology advocacy, service, education, patient care
Patients often manage their condition better, perform daily activities with more ease with help from therapists
Recent research explores possible connections between abnormalities in fasciae and painful musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic back pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as scleroderma
The Arthritis Foundation and the National Psoriasis Foundation launched the Joint Smart Coalition to focus on patient education, resources, and outreach. At a coalition-sponsored community-outreach event at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., attendees were provided information on setting goals, stretching techniques, easy exercises, treatment options, and tips for a healthy lifestyle. (posted Dec. 13)