It’s no secret to any health professional, including rheumatologists, that smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco-based products is unhealthy. Yet how does smoking specifically affect rheumatic diseases, and what are some of the newest findings in this area? What role do e-cigarettes have in the smoking risk landscape? Those are the sorts of questions asked…
A recent study examined the effects of immunoglobulin G (IgG) on isolated neutrophils of patients with autoimmune disease. Researchers found different autoimmune diseases have distinct patterns of IgG-mediated integrin activation and neutrophil function, which may explain disease-specific differences in vascular damage and dysfunction…
WASHINGTON/ST. GEORGE, S.C.—After launching his 2020 presidential bid last week, John Hickenlooper took a different stance on establishing a “Medicare-for-all” government health insurance program than many of his Democratic competitors. “I probably would oppose Medicare-for-all just because there are over 150 million people, Americans who have some form of private insurance through their business, and…
(Reuters Health)—Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) can add hip-strengthening exercises to their workout to improve the ability to walk and maybe reduce pain, according to a research review. Based on pooled data from eight clinical trials with a total of 340 patients, hip strengthening exercises involving weights or elastic bands would help the most, the…
A 2019 report says rheumatologists are the happiest medical specialists outside of work. Simon Helfgott, MD, says this finding shows “we have been able to blend an interesting, intellectually stimulating profession and practice with the ability to help people.”..
The FDA has issued a boxed warning for febuxostat after a safety study found an increased risk of heart-related and other death in RA patients…
Research examining the metabolic profile of SLE found increased oxidative activity, as well as lower levels of tyrosine and tryptophan, in SLE patients relative to controls, suggesting increased activity of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. The results suggest metabolomics may have the ability to measure disease severity in SLE…
A 60-year-old man returns for a follow-up related to his diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic gout of his right ankle and foot, without tophi. He reports the gout flares have subsided in his ankle. He takes 450 mg of allopurinol daily. He has rheumatoid factor-positive rheumatoid arthritis, which previously affected multiple sites, without organ…
Take the challenge. CPT: 20611-LT, J7325-EJ ICD-10: M17.12, E66.01, Z68.41 CPT: 99213 ICD-10: M1a.0710, M05.79 History—The history of present illness was extended. The review of systems was extended, and two past family social history elements were documented. This makes the history level detailed. Examination—Five systems were examined. This makes the exam level detailed. Medical decision…
Don’t forget: The submission window for the Quality Payment Program Performance Year 2018 closes on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Submissions must be complete by 8:00 PM EDT. We encourage all MIPS-eligible clinicians to double-check their status and final scores with the CMS by logging into their EIDM account. Not sure how to review your final score?…