Search results for: physical function

Nurses May Be Key to Long-Term Clinical Trial Success

Lara C. Pullen, PhD | July 6, 2015

After completing a 10-year clinical trial examining treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis, Dutch researchers used a questionnaire to determine the study conditions and individual motivators that kept 60% of patients participating long term…

Eosinophilia: A Diagnostic Evaluation Guide for Rheumatologists

Praveen Akuthota, MD, Aryeh Fischer, MD, & Michael E. Wechsler, MD | June 15, 2015

Clinical Vignette A 45-year-old woman with long-standing asthma and chronic sinusitis has new-onset peripheral neuropathy, arthralgias, fatigue, progressive dyspnea and a nonproductive cough. She has never smoked and has no environmental exposures. Her medications include an albuterol metered-dose inhaler (which she uses daily); an inhaled corticosteroid, montelukast; and ibuprofen (which she takes occasionally). She is…

Rheumatology Fellowship Programs Could Benefit from Leadership Training

Katarzyna Gilek-Seibert, MD | June 15, 2015

The beep of the cellphone text got me off the armchair. I had been feeling cozy and comfortable. Outside the window, it was a blissful winter wonderland—the one, I believe, Nat King Cole intended when recording “The Christmas Song.” But at the same time, I was anxious to hear whether my clinic would be canceled…

Super-Group Physician Practices Offer Benefits, But Raise Concerns

Catherine Kolonko | June 15, 2015

Rheumatologists worried about the future of their private practices might want to consider jumping onto the super group trend that allows physicians and other providers with similar services to team up to share opportunities and minimize financial burdens. The biggest concern for private practice physicians watching the trend but not yet embracing it is fear…

Pediatric to Adult Care Transition Challenging for Patients with JIA

Lynn R. Spiegel, MD, FRCPC | May 15, 2015

Dr. Sheffield is an adult rheumatologist who received the following referral request from a family doctor: “Please see this 22-year-old male with a history of juvenile arthritis for ongoing care. I have only seen him once, and have no previous medical records.” Dr. Sheffield meets with Paul, who reports that he has had arthritis since…

Rheumatologists on the Move

Ann-Marie Lindstrom | May 15, 2015

Maura Daly Iversen Named Catherine Worthingham Fellow by APTA Maura Daly Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH, FNAP, FAPTA, associate editor of The Rheumatologist, was recently named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow—the highest honor among the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) membership categories. According to the award announcement, Worthingham “motivated others to make an impact within the…

Rehabilitation, Therapy Goals for Scleroderma, Acroosteolysis

Lauren Tarsi and Marie B. Corkery, PT, DPT, MHS, FAAOMPT | May 15, 2015

Scleroderma is a rare rheumatologic autoimmune disease that affects the skin and can also affect other organs. Due to excess formation of scar tissue, blood flow to the extremities is decreased, primarily to the hands, and tissues often become hypoxic, resulting in sclerodactyly and proximal skin involvement.2 The incidence of scleroderma in the U.S. is…