Search results for: liver

Low-Dose Methotrexate Can Cause Adverse Effects

Will Boggs, MD | February 19, 2020

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Low-dose methotrexate can be associated with gastrointestinal, pulmonary, infectious, hematologic and other adverse effects, according to an analysis of the Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial (CIRT). “Methotrexate is not a benign drug, even at dosages used for rheumatic diseases,” Daniel H. Solomon, MD, MPH of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, tells Reuters Health…

FDA Advisory Committees Reject Oxycodegol (NKTR-181) Application

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | February 19, 2020

FDA advisory committees rejected the new drug application for oxycodegol, an opioid analgesic, due to a lack of data regarding it’s potential for abuse…

From Chronic Low Back Pain to Axial Spondyloarthritis

Mike Fillon | February 13, 2020

ATLANTA—Research into possible genetic drivers of the axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including the role of the genetic marker HLA-B27, is advancing, John D. Reveille, MD, professor and vice chair of medicine at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, told attendees at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting. Dr. Reveille delivered the Philip Hench, MD, Memorial…

Cannabinoids Show Potential in Pain Management

Mike Fillon | February 13, 2020

ATLANTA—The potential of cannabis‐based medicines is a hot topic, particularly as pain management therapy for arthritis and other conditions. However, confusion abounds regarding its therapeutic potential, how it can be administered and even the correct terminology to use. David P. Finn, PhD, professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, and founding co-director of the Centre for Pain…

FDA Rheumatology Update: New Drug Approvals, Plus Expanded Drug Indications & Safety Concerns

Susan Bernstein | February 12, 2020

Last year, the FDA was busy with new biologic and other drug approvals, new and expanded drug indications, and important safety updates relevant to rheumatology…

Coverage & Reimbursement Challenges: Updates from the ACR Insurance Subcommittee Chair

Chris Phillips, MD | February 7, 2020

The ACR Insurance Subcommittee is working to address specialty pharmacy requirements for in-office treatments, elimination of consultation codes and other coverage and reimbursement challenges.

Tips for Exploring Tough Topics with Teens with Rheumatic Disease

Susan Bernstein | January 17, 2020

ATLANTA—Managing teenage patients may present challenges for pediatric rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals not only because of their often complex, rare conditions, but because teenagers are, well, teenagers. Teens may experiment with sexual intercourse, alcohol use, tobacco or vaping e-cigarettes to fit in with their peers, even if these habits have serious health consequences, according to…

Tips for Engaging Your Pediatric Research Patients

Susan Bernstein | January 17, 2020

ATLANTA—Around 2002, when Vincent Del Gaizo’s son was just 15 months old, he was hospitalized in an intensive care unit and, weeks later, was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). “We had the same 8 trillion questions that all parents have when their child is diagnosed with a condition you’ve never heard of: ‘Is…

Case Report: Possible Overlapping Vasculitis & Ulcerative Colitis

Julia Jing-ou Tan, MD, Mohammad Bardi, MD, & Natasha Dehghan, MD | January 17, 2020

A 42-year-old man with a history of ulcerative colitis (UC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and chronic sinusitis was referred to a rheumatologist to evaluate for a possible diagnosis of systemic vasculitis. This patient had developed new skin lesions, gingival hypertrophy and ulcerating tracheobronchitis, concerning for possible granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Since 1994, the patient had…