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Synthetic DMARDs May Blunt Pneumococcal Vaccine Response in Systemic Sclerosis

Scott Baltic  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Pneumococcal vaccination yields a satisfactory antibody response in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), but synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) might reduce the vaccine response in these individuals, according to a report from Sweden. The prospective study, published online Jan. 8 in Rheumatology, evaluated the response to either pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) or…

E6011 & Tocilizumab Monotherapy Studies Show Promising Results for RA Patients

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New RA Antibody Treatment SAN DIEGO—A recent study examined the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of E6011, an anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 Researchers presented the results of this first 52-week trial of E6011 at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in November. Fractalkine (CX3CL1/FKN) is a chemokine that regulates chemo­taxis and adhesion…

Rheumatology Coding Corner Question: Querying Documentation for Correct Billing

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An established, 66-year-old male patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was last seen in the office three weeks before returns to the office for an infliximab infusion. The patient reports mild pain in his right knee, right and left elbows. He rates the pain severity at a 3 on a 10-point scale. He denies any weight…

Electronic Health Record Documentation Guidelines

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The operations management team in healthcare practices is expected to have an effective coding compliance program in place that is continually evaluated and reevaluated. To accurately assess the program’s effectiveness, several outcome indicators must be measured, including error rates in the provider’s documentation and the electronic health record (EHR). Due to increased scrutiny by the…

2017 ACR/ARHP Honors & Awards, Part 2

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SAN DIEGO—At the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego in November, the ACR and the ARHP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. This month, The Rheumatologist speaks with the ARHP winners about their individual contributions. In addition, we profile the new class…

Fibrotic Diseases of the Retroperitoneum & Skin, & Rare Scleroderma Mimics

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SAN DIEGO—Fibrosis affects all organ systems, but isn’t always systemic sclerosis. Experts on less common forms discussed patient presentations, diagnosis and treatment at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego on Nov. 6. Retroperitoneal Fibrosis Formerly called Ormond’s disease, retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is usually an IgG4-related disease, but has some unique characteristics, said John…

Tips for Treating Lupus-Related Renal Disease, Pain, Alopecia

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SAN DIEGO—Rheumatologists who treat lupus patients gleaned tips on diagnosis and management of renal disease, painful neuropathies and alopecia at a “Curbside Consults” session held Nov. 6 at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego. Membranous Lupus Nephritis Patients with refractory membranous lupus nephritis (MLN), or Class V lupus nephritis, face “significant morbidity, most of…

Rheumatoid Arthritis May Confer Higher Cardiac & Infection Risks

Lorraine L. Janeczko  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of serious infections, myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), an analysis of Medicare claims data suggests. “Higher disease activity as measured by a panel of biomarkers was associated with higher rates of hospitalized infections, MI and CHD events. These findings add…

Biosimilar SB2 May Work as Well as Infliximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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In a 78-week study examining the interchangeability of infliximab with the biosimilar SB2, the treatments demonstrated long-term efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Across all the study’s treatment groups, patients had similar treatment response rates, and the long-term clinical profile of SB2 was comparable with infliximab…