In June 2022, I listened to several presentations on gout at EULAR’s European Congress of Rheumatology. Most began with data confirming a sad truth that we, as rheumatology providers, are all aware of: too many patients are taking subtherapeutic doses of urate-lowering therapy (ULT).1,2 Recommendations from the American College of Physicians in 2017 advocated for…
This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the use of vaccinations in children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. It includes expanded indications for some vaccines, as well as guidance on whether to hold immunosuppressive medications or delay vaccination to maximize vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy.
Van der Meulen et al. found the use of both systemic and inhaled glucocorticoids is associated with changes in several brain imaging parameters, including decreased white matter integrity and gray matter volume. Study patients also reported more depressive symptoms and tiredness than controls.
A qualified clinical data registry, RISE helps clinicians measure their performance on quality measures, identify ways to improve their patient care experience, navigate Medicare reporting and demonstrate the value of rheumatology to key influencers. Practices must join no later than June 30 to use RISE for 2023 Traditional MIPS or Advancing Rheumatology Patient Care MVP reporting.
With 2023 state legislative sessions underway, early prevailing themes may forecast areas where we will see gains this year. Key issues include utilization management, copay accumulator bans, white bagging and pharmacy benefit manager reform.
Now in the second year of his 2021–2023 term as the Rheumatology Research Foundation president, V. Michael Holers, MD, a professor of medicine and immunology and the Smyth Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Colorado, Denver, is looking forward to fortifying and expanding the Foundation’s missions in the framework of its new strategic plan.
In late December, the FDA approved subcutaneous abaloparatide for the treatment of men with osteoporosis at a high risk of fracture. This approval is based on a placebo-controlled study that showed abaloparatide led to significant increases in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck. Abaloparatide was approved in April 2017 for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture.
Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, Receives the 2022 Lupus Insight Prize In June 2022, the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) awarded its Lupus Insight Prize to Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, for her discovery of the link between endogenous retroviruses and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Dr. Iwasaki, who is a Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and a professor of dermatology,…
PHILADELPHIA—Expert panelists gathered in the closing session at ACR Convergence 2022 to give their take on what they saw as some of the most notable research findings and other insights to come out of the meeting, touching on a number of topics on the leading edge of the field. COVID-19 Prophylaxis & Vaccinations Alfred Kim,…
PHILADELPHIA—Whether due to Sjögren’s disease or something else, dry mouth is a common chief complaint from patients with rheumatic illnesses. Dry mouth isn’t life-threatening, but it can have a serious impact on quality of life. Sialogogues like cevimeline and pilocarpine may benefit some, but not all, patients, but cholinergic side effects often limit their usefulness….