A typical patient with a rheumatic disease needs a multifaceted treatment approach to address comorbidities, minimize disability, promote quality of life and improve survival. To achieve these outcomes, rheumatology research has evolved from examining a single treatment to studying the best treatment approaches. Examples of these strategy trials include how to best combine pharmaceutical therapies,…
New research has linked the risk of developing interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients with the promoter variant in MUC5B, which may also contribute to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and an unsual interstitial pneumonia seen by high-resolution CT scan…
Chairing the ACR’s Communications and Marketing Committee (CMC) can be a monumental task: The CMC is responsible for both internal and external communications to a variety of people, including rheumatology providers, patients, lawmakers, the pharmaceutical industry and others. But the CMC’s newest chair, Suleman Bhana, MD, FACR, is up for the job. The Rheumatologist recently…
The ACR’s Committee on Rheumatologic Care (CORC) has been busy on many fronts, including establishing new position statements for the College, introducing new practice perspectives and engaging multiple stakeholders in actions to protect and enhance rheumatology practice, such as with payers. “CORC ensures the rheumatology voice is heard in all of the most critical venues,”…
Early in his medical career, Swamy Venuturupalli, MD, sought clinical direction toward a specialty that allowed him to look at the patient in multiple domains, and he found a perfect fit in rheumatology. His passion for understanding the many aspects of rheumatic disease led Dr. Venuturupalli to become actively involved in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program…
Rheumatologists may benefit from the decentralized technology that makes cryptocurrency possible: blockchain. According to Anh L. Ngo, MD, MBA, using blockchain in healthcare may increase payment and purchasing efficiency and revolutionize EHR management…
Low muscle density due to the accumulation of intramuscular fat has been observed in RA patients and is associated with higher disease activity. New research sought to understand the relationship between muscle density, physical function and strength independent of body composition, including such factors as total and visceral adiposity. The results: Compared with healthy controls, low muscle density in RA patients was associated with low muscle mass, excess adiposity and greater disability…
New research shows that patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes than patients with psoriasis alone or the general population. Researchers also found that PsA and psoriasis patients have a similar rate of increased risk for cardiovascular disease…
By the time Kelly Conway was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2007, she had already been living with symptoms of the disease for 23 years. Her first symptom appeared when she was 14—knee pain that was incorrectly diagnosed as tendonitis. Over the years, she has experienced fevers and sore joints. She was diagnosed with…
An exploratory analysis of a canakinumab clinical trial has shown the interleukin 1β inhibitor may significantly reduce patients’ risk for gout flares. During the study, patients using canakinumab experienced this decreased risk, but the treatment did not change serum uric acid levels…