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

ACR/ARHP Members Call on Congress to Restore Patients’ Voices

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The ACR hosted the 2018 Advocacy Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on May 16–17. Rheumatology professionals from around the country flew to our nation’s capitol to attend the conference, where advocates heard from key policymakers and spoke with lawmakers about the issues that affect the rheumatology community—and what ACR/ARHP members can do to influence policy….

Forging Alliances Proves Successful for West Virginia Society

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With only 15 practicing rheumatologists in the state, members of West Virginia’s Rheumatology (WVR) Society knew early on they needed a stronger voice to help their patients. So WVR Society President Suzanne Gharib, MD, joined West Virginia’s state medical society, comprising physicians from a range of specialties. “It turns out our state medical society was…

Affiliate Society Council Meeting Provides Motivation, Fellowship, Opportunity

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On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, the ACR’s Affiliate Society Council (ASC) convened a meeting in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the ACR’s Advocacy Leadership Conference. Despite inclement weather that delayed or cancelled numerous flights, several rheumatology representatives from states across the U.S. attended the meeting in person, while others participated by conference call. “It was…

HCV-Associated Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis Resolves after Virologic Cure

Will Boggs MD  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection resolves after effective treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), with most patients remaining in remission for two or more years, researchers from Spain report. “Most clinical manifestations of the disease improve over time, but some patients may have a clinical recurrence of their disease…

FDA Names Drugmakers Potentially Acting to Delay Cheap Generics

Michael Erman  |  

(Reuters)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday listed drugmakers, including Celgene Corp, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences and Novartis AG, who the regulator says are potentially blocking access to samples of their drugs to delay generic competition. Generic drugmakers may not be able to develop alternatives without access to samples of branded products they…

Avoid Billing Risks for New vs. Established Patients

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When coding evaluation and management (E/M) services provided to a patient, one of the most persistent concerns is whether a patient is new or established to the practice. Although this may seem like a simple coding answer, the distinction is an important one, because it enables providers to appropriately bill and receive reimbursement correctly. E/M…

Ethics Forum: Righting the Wrong Diagnosis

Joseph L. Green, DO  |  

A 54-year-old woman is establishing care in your clinic after retirement of her previous rheumatologist. Your review of her records suggests that she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus seven years ago on the basis of symptoms of body pain and fatigue, and serologic evidence of positive ANA 1:40 (speckled) and borderline anti-SSB antibody. She…

How Footwear Affects Patients with Medial Knee Osteoarthritis

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A patient’s gait, or how they walk, is an important predictor of the biomechanical load distribution that affects osteoarthritis (OA). This understanding comes from a growing body of literature in bio­mechanics to test and treat patients with OA, which takes into account a very practical treatment: a patient’s shoes. A focus on flexible footwear, along…

FDA to Review Abuse-Deterrent Oxycodone Capsule

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FDA to Review Abuse-Deterrent Oxycodone Capsule In June, the FDA will discuss the New Drug Application for Remoxy ER at an Advisory Committee meeting. Remoxy ER is a 12-hour, abuse-deterrent, extended-release oxycodone in a capsule formulation.1 The capsule contains a sticky, thick, high-viscosity formulation to deter unapproved drug administration routes, including injection, smoking or snorting….