CPPD diagnosis is difficult & treatments are limited. Experts review radiology challenges, off-label options like colchicine, & emerging biologics.
Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease: The Great Mimic
CPPD is notoriously difficult to diagnose due to its diverse presentations & uncertain etiology. Recent advances have helped rheumatologists better understand its risk factors, classify, diagnose & treat the condition.
Treatment, Management Options for Difficult-to-Control Gout
Patient education is key to medication compliance, battling gouty flares
Inflammatory Origin of Fever Is Key to Diagnosis
Fever in rheumatology patients may present evidence of an inflammatory process
Bariatric Surgery May Help Obese Patients with Gout, Diabetes
Researchers found patients with morbid obesity, gout and diabetes achieved target serum urate concentrations post-bariatric surgery
Coding Corner Question: August
Level 4 coding for a follow-up visit by a patient with gout
Coding Corner Answer: August
Medical decision-making for established diagnosis of gout that is worsening
Letters: UCLA Study on HLA-B27 Link with Ankylosing Spondylitis at Forefront
Researchers Scholosstein et al were first to connection HLA antigens to the inflammatory disease, not Brewerton et al as reported [The Rheumatologist, May 2014]
Clinical Applications of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for Rheumatology
Advanced imaging technique allows physicians to detect deposition of monosodium urate crystals not apparent in physical exams and better diagnose gout
Therapeutic Value of Colchicine in Osteoarthritis, Cardiovascular Disease Explored at the ACR/ARHP Winter Rheumatology Symposium
Drug’s antiinflammatory properties may help alleviate pain in patients with OA, reduce risk of myocardial infarction, but toxicity, drug interactions need to be considered