Although osteoporosis is probably the bone disease that is most often seen by rheumatologists, it is not the only one that the group has on its agenda. For example, the Rare Bone Disease Working Group is facilitating the implementation of collaborative projects to advance the understanding of skeletal biology and encourage the development of new therapies to improve outcomes for individuals with less common bone disease.
Particularly Tenuous Times
Dr. Saag thinks the ACR teaming up with the NBHA is a way to work together nationally at a particularly tenuous time in the bone field. He notes that there has been a halving in the use of prescription therapies following a fracture. This has been coupled with a decline in reimbursement rates for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry testing and a decrease in testing overall.
“ACR as a specialty organization for rheumatologists is doing a lot on its own,” says Dr. Saag. “But there is an opportunity to do a lot more by working with groups that bring together different specialties and different interests. There is power in numbers and working across disciplines can be crucial in achieving mutual goals.”
Kurt Ullman is a writer based in Indiana.
