CHICAGO—Held during the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, the ACR Review Course covered a wide range of topics for rheumatologists—from advances in pain and rheumatic disease management to the intersection of rheumatology and neurology. Session speakers shared insights, as well as state-of-the-art approaches to diagnosis, management and treatment. Inflammatory Myopathies Julie J. Paik, MD, MHS, assistant…
A recent U.K. study assessed the use of the Perrin technique to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome based on five physical signs of disease. Overall, researchers found the accuracy of diagnosis by allied health professionals was highest when using tests for only two signs: tender coelic plexus and postural/mechanical disturbances of the thoracic spine…
In recent years, scientists and clinicians have learned a great deal about autoantibodies occurring in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). These new discoveries have reshaped our understanding of distinct clinical phenoÂtypes in IIMs. Scientists continue to learn more about how these autoÂantibodies shape pathophysiology, diagnosis, disease monitoring, prognosis and optimum treatment. Moving forward, these autoantibodies will…
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ongoing investigation into the disease mechanisms of inflammatory myopathies is generating needed information for the development of potential future therapeutic targets, and current data from clinical trials have shed light on myopathy concerns in different cohorts of patients. These issues were all discussed in a session titled Muscle Biology, Myositis, and Myopathies I during…
A patient returns for a follow-up visit of their chronic idiopathic gout without tophi with complaints of pain and tenderness. After a thorough examination, the rheumatologist treats the patient for an acute flare of the left knee. How is this coded? M1A.1620, M10.062 M1A.1620 M10.061 M10.062 From ICD-10 coding guidelines, what are the steps to…
Without a single set of diagnostic criteria for identifying polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or myositis and scant evidence-based therapeutic guidelines, these rare muscle diseases can be hard to manage
Differentiating between subgroups of myositis is a diagnostic challenge for physicians, but using some guiding principles can be helpful,
The primary tracks at the meeting will focus on clinical practice, clinical science, basic science, and business/administration; four subtracks will include sessions relevant for educators, those interested in pediatrics, practice managers, and rheumatology trainees.
Treatment options and recent research for juvenile dermatomyositis.
Although initially given as replacement therapy for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency states, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has proven to be effective in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This success has led to a dramatic increase in the use of IVIg, with its use as an antiinflammatory agent now vastly surpassing its use in the treatment of immunodeficiencies. Even so, the basis for the antiinflammatory activity of IVIg remains unclear.