Recent research assessed the risk of gout in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus prescribed sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared with those prescribed a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. The study found patients on the SGLT2 inhibitor had a lower rate of gout, suggesting SGLT2 inhibitors may actually reduce the risk of gout among this patient population…
Scenario 1: Direct Billing A 70-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints and positive rheumatoid factor returns to the practice for her fourth infusion of infliximab with the nurse practitioner (NP). She reports no fevers, cough, dyspnea or concurrent illness. She rates the severity of her joint pain at 6 on a 10-point…
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…
As a veteran rheumatologist, I remember the clinical trials of etanercept’s (Enbrel’s) efficacy. And when the drug was first approved in 1998, I participated in those clinical trials and realized the effectiveness was astonishing. It was easy to tell which patients were treated with etanercept vs. those who received placebo, even though both groups were…
During a session at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, Lisa Christopher-Stine, MD, MPH, provided valuable recommendations and practical insights into the care and treatment of myositis patients…
A systematic literature review identified novel evidence on the treatment and management of GCA that was incorporated into the most recent EULAR recommendations on the management of large vessel vasculitis. Investigators confirmed the efficacy of prompt initiation of glucocorticoids and found fast-track approaches to diagnosis lowered the risk of ischemic complications…
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…