NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of serious infections, myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), an analysis of Medicare claims data suggests. “Higher disease activity as measured by a panel of biomarkers was associated with higher rates of hospitalized infections, MI and CHD events. These findings add…
Search results for: heart disease
Systemic Sclerosis Mortality Rate May Be Underestimated
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by immunologic abnormalities, microvascular involvement and tissue fibrosis. In previous studies, 10-year survival rates ranged from 50–84%. However, there are concerns that these studies, using prevalent cohorts, are underestimating mortality. “While the prognosis of many rheumatic diseases has improved with the availability of more effective and targeted therapies,…
From the Front Lines: Managing RA Comorbidities in Primary Care
How are comorbidities for RA patients managed outside of rheumatology? A recent Canadian study developed and assessed quality measures related to preventive care and screenings for RA patients in a primary care setting, comparing RA and non-RA patients. The results: Primary care physicians often provide similar levels of care to patients with and without RA. But RA patients were less likely to receive some cancer screenings and all necessary tests to assess their cardiovascular risk…
Demand for Arthritis Care in America Outstrips Supply of Practicing Rheumatologists
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. The ACR is committed to ensuring that arthritis and rheumatologic diseases are at the forefront of public awareness—and that better, safer treatments reach Americans in need. Fortunately, the federal government is also doing its part and has just released a major report on the national impact of arthritis. A…
Valeant Prices Psoriasis Treatment at $3,500 Per Month
(Reuters)—Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. said it had priced its recently approved plaque psoriasis treatment at $3,500 per month, ahead of an expected U.S. launch in the second half of 2017. Brodalumab (Siliq) is the lowest priced injectable biologic psoriasis treatment currently on the market, Valeant says. Drugmakers are facing intense criticism from…
Hospitals Have Lower Death Rates During Surprise Inspections
(Reuters Health)—Patients may be less likely to die in U.S. hospitals during weeks when accreditation inspectors show up unannounced than during other times of the year, a recent U.S. study suggests. Researchers examined mortality data for 1,984 hospitals nationwide from 2008 to 2012. During surprise inspections, 7.03% of patients died within 30 days of being…
Gout Treatments Effective If Patients Maintain Lifelong Adherence to Therapies
Although gout is one of the most effectively treated of all rheumatic diseases, it is among the worst-managed diseases long term, as shown by many studies. “Treatments are excellent, yet are dramatically under-utilized,” says Theodore Fields, MD, FACP, rheumatologist, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), New York. “This is because some gout patients feel better between…
Myocardial Inflammation Elevated in Active RA, Eases with DMARD Therapy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and no known heart disease may have subclinical myocardial inflammation, which improves with disease-modifying therapy, new research shows. “We know that patients with RA have higher risk of cardiovascular events, including heart failure and we really don’t know why. Maybe myocardial inflammation is one of the…
2016 ARHP Award Winners Discuss Their Contributions to Rheumatology
If you thought the presidential election was a tough choice, imagine selecting this year’s slate of ACR/ARHP award winners. At the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington this November, the ACR and the ARHP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. In this issue,…
Not All Infectious Microorganisms Malign Human Immune System
Which came first? The infectious microorganism or a host’s immune resistance against it? Through the millennia, a raging battle has pitted the hordes of infectious agents surrounding us against, arguably, the most complex biologic structure ever created, the finely tuned human immune system. The stakes are high for both sides. For the infectious agent, an…
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