A new study suggests that a small abnormality in an immunity gene can alter the gut flora in a way that induces development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Letter: Skepticism on Steroids in RA
There is not a consensus between all European rheumatologists regarding the use of steroids in RA; quite a few share your skepticism.
New Lupus Insight Prize Aims to Advance Lupus Research
The Lupus Insight Prize will provide $200,000 to one researcher to help fund a project dedicated to furthering understanding of the genetic, environmental, molecular, immunologic, or cellular aspects of lupus or its treatment.
Medscape Surveys Show Rheumatologists Happiest at Home but Concerned about Pay and Other Professional Issues
The Medscape 2012 Physician Lifestyle and Compensation Reports shows that rheumatologists are increasingly dissatisfied with pay but are the happiest group of physicians in the survey.
Researcher Reflects on the Development of the Disease Activity Score
Listen to Désirée van der Heijde, MD, PhD, reflect on working with Piet van Riel, MD, PhD to develop this method to measure disease activity outcome.
Lupus Survey Finds Gaps in Communication
More than 90% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients experience a communication gap with their family and with their care team, according to a recent survey conducted by GfK Roper North America. The survey found that many SLE patients downplay their symptoms to friends, family, and even their doctors.
First World Autoimmune Arthritis Day Will Link People in “Virtual Convention”
World Autoimmune Arthritis Day will be held from 6 a.m. EDT on May 19 through 5 a.m. EDT on May 21. It is a worldwide virtual convention focusing on autoimmune arthritis. Through the Internet, patients and supporters will be able to learn more about their disease while interacting with others from many countries.
CMS Delays ICD-10 Compliance Date
Despite months of assurances to the contrary, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in mid-February they were indefinitely postponing implementation of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification. The changeover was originally scheduled to take effect October 1, 2013.
Scientists Pinpoint Three HLA Proteins Linked to Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers have identified five amino acids in three HLA proteins that explain most of the association between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Will There Be an SGR Fix This Year?
Rheumatologists should expect at least one more time-stamped extension to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula before Congress makes any lasting changes to it. At issue is the future of rheumatologists’ Medicare payments, including the federal Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) recommendation from last year to scrap the formula, reduce payments for specialist services by 5.9% for each of three years, and then freeze them for seven more years, and the 27.4% SGR cut that has been repeatedly delayed by extensions.