Methotrexate (MTX) remains the predominant medication used by rheumatologists to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Doses of 7.5–25 mg per week with daily folic acid are generally prescribed. Despite its common use, MTX must be prescribed cautiously given the potential adverse effects when taken incorrectly or without folic acid supplementation. Cases of MTX-induced cutaneous ulceration have…
Many, if not all, rheumatologists seek to grow as clinicians so they can provide consistently exceptional care to patients and serve as role models for colleagues and trainees. In this series, Lessons from a Master Clinician, we compile insights from clinicians who have achieved a level of distinction in the field of rheumatology. Gail Kerr,…
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome or allergic granulomatosis and angiitis, is a rare small- and medium-vessel vasculitis. This disease was first described by American pathologists Jacob Churg and Lotte Strauss in 1951.1 Although the vasculitis is often not apparent in the initial phases of the disease, EGPA can affect any…
Although the true cause of systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, remains unknown, researchers have made progress in detecting the autoimmune disease’s early presence. Beyond the physiological signs of Raynaud’s phenomenon, a capillaroscopy can detect alterations in microcirculation and lab tests can confirm the presence of telltale autoantibodies, such as anti-topoisomerase 1, anti-centromere and anti-RNA polymerase…
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), scleroderma and lupus often require management input from both rheumatologists and dermatologists. Usually patients see the two specialists separately. Combining both in a single rheumatology/dermatology clinic appointment can improve outcomes and increase both provider and patient satisfaction. “Physicians talk about tearing down silos of care, where each specialist focuses on their part…
Rheumatology is a field rife with uncertainty. With regard to both diagnosis and treatment, we live in a world of rare diseases that are difficult to study. As a result, we are often left without an answer to our diagnostic dilemmas and without clarity when deciding the best treatment options for our patients. For rheumatologists…
“Congratulations! You have matched!” With Match Day in the rearview mirror and residency nearing an end, incoming fellows prepare for the next road trip on their journey to becoming a rheumatologist. Residency molds new graduates into competent physicians by providing an overview of general medicine and teaching them the clinical and professional skills necessary to…
Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options, others have few or only off-label options. This series, “Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance,” provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and small molecule inhibitor drugs…
Designed in the TED Talk style, In the Rheum sessions will feature the hottest topics and biggest scientific takeaways for rheumatology using a shorter, more casual approach during the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting…
Recent research found that RA patients who began treatment with baricitinib experienced greater improvement from baseline than patients who began treatment with methotrexate…