The rescindment of the Richardson Waiver in late February suggests that the HHS may move toward rulemaking without providing public notice and comment procedures.
How NIH, FDA Nominees May Affect Rheumatology
The nominations of Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, as director of the National Institutes of Health and Martin Makary, MD, MPH, for commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration have the potential to significantly impact federally funded healthcare research, federal responses to public health emergencies and federal regulation of drugs and medical devices.
Flares Rare After COVID Vaccination
The development of a vaccine for COVID-19 changed the course of the pandemic; however, it also raised questions about whether to withhold or reduce immunosuppressive therapies and other medications for patients with inflammatory, rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (IRMD), note the authors of a new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. An argument for…
Rheum After 5: Embracing Their Inner Swiftie
Dr. Jean Liew Favorite album: “It used to be 1989, then folklore; now it’s The Tortured Poets Department.” Many people know Jean Liew, MD, MS, as a respected rheumatologist and a dedicated researcher. Her colleagues also know Dr. Liew as a Swiftie, a moniker given to devoted fans of singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Swifties can be…
Global Summit Addresses Worldwide Rheumatology Workforce Challenges
Rheumatology workforce challenges are a global concern. Many challenges, especially the lack of trained rheumatology clinicians, are similar among countries and regions of the world, while others differ. The 2024 ACR Global Summit session on workforce featured a discussion by representatives of regional rheumatology organizations and the ACR addressing issues central to developing and retaining…
ACR Image Competition 2024 Results, Part 4
For the 2024 Image Competition, the ACR sought images with educational or remarkable manifestations representing a diverse range of pediatric patients with autoimmune, inflammatory, infectious and malignant drivers of rheumatic disease. Here, we showcase the winning images from the Middle East and North Africa. Lipoma Arborescens Revealed A 10-year-old boy, presented with a five-year history…
Cannabis for Pain Management in Rheumatology
‘Cannabis has a long history of being used for pain management,’ says Physician Editor Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, FAAAAI, RhMSUS. ‘What does it mean for rheumatology patients moving forward? Read our article for one answer to this question.’ As cannabis becomes more widely legalized, both in the U.S. and internationally, its use for pain…
2025 Advocates for Arthritis Applications Now Open
This annual event, to be held May 4–6, brings together the rheumatology community to advocate on Capitol Hill for the profession and rheumatic disease patients.
Will Telehealth Make It to April?
Medicare’s current telehealth flexibilities are set to expire March 31. To avoid a government shutdown, Congress must pass a appropriations package by midnight on March 14. The ACR is preparing for the impacts if a telehealth extension does not pass.
Potential Biologic Drug Treatment for IgG4-RD Identified
Inebilizumab reduces the risk of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) flares and increases the likelihood of flare-free, complete remission at one year, a recent study shows.1 The randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled MITIGATE trial showed that inebilizumab reduced the risk of IgG4-RD symptoms by 87%, compared with placebo. About IgG4-RD IgG4-RD is chronic, rare condition that has, so…