Video: Every Case Tells a Story| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

The Rheumatology Research Foundation Announces Award Recipients

  |  

On July 1, 2019, the Foundation awarded more than 80 grants to a wide range of rheumatology trainees, professionals and institutions. The recipients will receive funding for essential training and career development, as well as for innovative research projects. Their applications were closely examined by experts in different areas of the field to ensure awards…

Ethics Forum: Beware Your Intellectual Conflicts of Interest

Evan Mulvihill, MD, MPH  |  

A senior rheumatologist with extensive experience in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus is asked to help draft clinical guidelines for the treatment of lupus nephritis. Neither she nor her family members receive grant funding nor does she consult with any pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. She does have strong clinical opinions based on current evidence…

Florida Physician Launches Online Group for Women Rheumatologists

  |  

When Reshma Khan, MD, a rheumatologist at the Family Arthritis Center, Jupiter, Fla., relocated from Michigan three-and-a-half years ago, she missed the camaraderie and friendships she’d made in Michigan. “I’m a very social person, and after finishing my research, residency and fellowship in Michigan, I missed those close friendships [when I moved to Florida],” Dr….

Addiction Therapy Is Underprescribed but May Benefit Medical Adherence

  |  

CHICAGO—Although medical treatments for addiction have been proved effective, they are not used often enough, said Kenneth Stoller, MD, during a session at the 2019 ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium, held April 5–7. These treatments bring health benefits that extend beyond addiction, he said. Dr. Stoller, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins…

In Wake of Lupus Trial Failure, New Research Attacks From Many Angles

  |  

CHICAGO—When Richard Furie, MD, was first asked to speak about lupus at the 2019 ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium, held April 5–7, organizers suggested he discuss low disease activity and classification criteria. But Dr. Furie, a professor of medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y., and a veteran investigator…

Risk Assessment & Treatment in Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients

  |  

CHICAGO—Choosing a treatment for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) involves an array of factors, from the antibodies present to their titers to other risk factors, said Lisa Sammaritano, MD, during a guided tour of APS treatment at the 2019 ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium, held April 5–7. Dr. Sammaritano, associate attending physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery,…

The Microbiome: A Predictor of Autoimmune Response?

  |  

CHICAGO—The world of rheumatology is beginning to harness the promise of the microbiome, with evidence showing components of the gut may help predict response to medication and may be manipulated to improve how well a treatment works, said Jose Scher, MD, at the 2019 ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium, held April 5–7. “We can truly exploit…

Expert Says Vaccines Are Largely Safe for Rheumatology Patients

  |  

CHICAGO—Rheumatologists often come to Brian Schwartz, MD, associate professor of medicine and vice chief for clinical affairs in the Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, with a concern: A patient on immunosuppression has a family member who needs a live vaccine, but the patient may be vulnerable to the vaccine’s effects. Should…

How Rheumatologists Can Better Partner with Social Workers

Linda Childers  |  

When Liz Morasso, LCSW, facilitates a Families Living with Rheumatic Diseases support group at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, she empathizes with the struggles and challenges of her young patients. Ms. Morasso was only 16 years old when she was diagnosed with both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). She knows all too well…

The Type I Interferon Pathway’s Influence in Connective Tissue Disease

  |  

Type I interferon appears to play a role in disease susceptibility and pathogenesis in several classic connective tissue diseases, at least in some patients. Below, I present evidence supporting this connection, explore potential missing links in pathogenesis and discuss biological treatments that target the pathway. The Type I Interferon Pathway Interferons are a class of…