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

Tocilizumab Effectively Treats Early RA for Up to Two Years

Marilynn Larkin  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with IV tocilizumab alone or with methotrexate maintained clinical benefits during their second year of treatment, researchers say. Sophie Dimonaco of Roche Products Ltd. in Welwyn Garden City, UK and colleagues sought to determine whether the efficacy and safety of IV tocilizumab, as demonstrated in…

Studies Highlight Risk of Damage from Lupus Treatments

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Conference goers who braved the final day of the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting were awarded for their stamina by learning about issues relating to the damage caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during the session Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—Clinical Aspects and Treatment V: Damage and Morbidity. Minimizing Damage: Early Use of GC-Sparing Strategies Jayne Little,…

Biomarkers, Genetic Clues to Higher Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with Lupus

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Experts at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting session, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—Clinical Aspects and Treatment IV: Biomarkers, reported on a number of recent studies showing advancement in our understanding of the disease mechanisms underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that place these patients at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other comorbidities. Mechanisms of CVD Risk…

Effectiveness of Novel Therapies for Cutaneous SLE Explored

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new, humanized anti-BDCA2 monoclonal antibody can trigger inhibition of the production of interferon, cytokines and chemokines derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells in patients with cutaneous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to research presented at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting. The findings were discussed during a session on SLE treatment, drug adherence and the…

Drug Reduction Strategies, Disease Control for Patients with RA in Remission

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Clinical aspects of managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in remission were discussed by a panel of experts at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting during the session titled Rheumatoid Arthritis—Clinical Aspects IV: Managing Patients in Remission. Among the issues raised were strategies to taper or discontinue biologic therapies, as well as clinical predictors of…

Human Immune System Likened to Model of Military Efficiency

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Speaking at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in a session titled ARHP: Immunology Boot Camp I: Basis of Targeted Therapy, a rheumatologist and immunology expert gave a guided tour of the immune system, described what can go wrong with it and outlined what physicians can do when it does. Troy Torgerson, MD, PhD, associate…

Rheumatology Coding Corner Answer: Billing Infusion Procedure with JW Modifier

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Take the challenge. CPT: 99214-25, 96413, 96375, 96361-59, J1745 x 4 J1745 JW* x 36, J1200 x1 ICD-10: M45.09, T50.995A, R06.02, E66.3, Z68.2 Rationale Modifier 25 is appropriate to use because it indicates the patient received a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as the infliximab infusion. This E/M service entailed the…

Rheumatology Case Report: Bullous Lesions in Patient with Lupus

Mitali Sen, MD, Corrado Minimo, MD, & Ruchika Patel, MD  |  

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease associated with multiple acute or chronic cutaneous manifestations, including the relatively rare category of bullous lupus. The development of vesiculo-bullous lesions may be associated with a high morbidity, hence they warrant an urgent investigation, including a skin biopsy to identify the diagnosis and initiate prompt treatment. With…

Brodalumab Approved for Plaque Psoriasis, Plus Baricitinib Effiicacy Studied for RA

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Brodalumab Approved for Plaque Psoriasis The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved brodalumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin 17 (IL‑17).1,2 Brodalumab (Siliq) was approved for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy and have failed to respond to, or have lost response to, other…