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…
A 14-year-old girl is referred to your office for fatigue and arthralgias. While you’re obtaining her past medical history, she divulges that she has had four episodes of bilateral parotitis, each lasting two weeks. An otolaryngologist evaluated her. She lacked sicca symptoms, had a normal complete blood count (CBC), normal inflammatory markers and a negative…
In the middle of a busy clinic I go to see my next patient, a 16-year-old girl with a swollen knee. I had seen her the week before and, after discussing the options regarding treatment of her arthritis, had organized a joint injection for today. As I walk in the door she emphatically informs me,…
Volunteering is a great way to give back and can be truly meaningful. Myriad worthwhile causes exist, so it can be hard to choose among them, but donating time to ACR and ARP committees helps promote rheumatology practice and brings awareness to rheumatic diseases. The College relies on volunteers to help achieve strategic priorities, promote…
The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) encompass eight categories: 1) dermatomyositis (DM) in adults, 2) juvenile dermatomyositis, 3) amyopathic DM, 4) cancer-associated DM, 5) polymyositis, 6) immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, 7) inclusion body myositis, and 8) overlap myositis.1 These categories help classify the myopathies based on clinical and histologic features. The incidence of IIM is estimated at…
Predictive data models can be used to identify when patients may miss their appointments, reduce these incidents and increase scheduling efficiency. Here are some tips for the physician practice setting…
As a new year begins, Government Affairs Committee chair Blair Solow, MD, takes stock of ACR advocacy wins in 2019 and issues to watch in 2020.
In 2004, Stacy Ardoin, MD, MHS, became pregnant with twins during the second year of her fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. Although she and her husband, Adrien, were thrilled by the news, the astronomical cost of day care for two infants was a specter. At the time, Adrien managed a bookÂstore…
ATLANTA—Every year at its Annual Meeting, the ACR recognizes its members’ outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program. The ACR is proud to announce 20 award recipients for 2019, honored for their accomplishments as clinicians, instructors or researchers who have helped advance rheumatology, for their commitment to inspire others to enter…
Daniel Solomon, MD, MPH, has practiced rheumatology for more than 20 years, all while conducting translational and clinical research and teaching young clinicians. Soon, he will also step into the role of editor in chief of Arthritis & Rheumatology, as Richard J. Bucala, MD, PhD, ends his tenure. He will assume some duties during a…