Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a type of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated small vessel vasculitis that typically affects the kidneys, lungs and sinuses.1 Due to an overlap in signs and symptoms, GPA may initially be difficult to distinguish from IgG4-related disease, another condition that can affect multiple tissues and has variable presentations. Further complicating…
Because rheumatology is a complex cognitive specialty, rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals often see patients repeatedly for acute and chronic problems. Although that may lead to close relationships with patients, it may also make the specialty more prone to burnout, says Peter Y. Hahn, MD, MBA, CEO of University of Michigan Health-West, Wyoming, Mich. “It can…
Spam, spam, advertisement, spam … wait wait, what’s this? A small envelope, addressed from Maine. I wonder what this is about? Usually, when I get an envelope this size, it’s a letter from someone trying to sell me something or complain about something I have no control over. So imagine my surprise when I found…
I vividly recollect asking my physics professor for a letter of recommendation. I sat in the front row of his lectures and visited his office hours most weeks in the semester. He turned me down because he was “too busy.” I was devastated—and panicked about asking my next choice for letter writer. On the plus…
Background & Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with immune responses to the patient’s own antigens and characterized by inflammation and substantial joint destruction. Prevotella copri, a gut commensal bacterium, has been reported to be an immune-relevant organism in individuals with RA. This study sought to evaluate antibody responses to anti-P….
In a small study, an anti-inflammatory diet helped reduce pain and swelling in a subset of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Diet changes are complementary to standard treatment. Diet-related research can be challenging, but many patients with RA are motivated to try healthy changes.
A recent meeting of the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) featured discussions of many topics important to ACR members, including pharmacy benefit manager legislation, biomarker testing and transparency in the healthcare market.
In a letter to Congress, the ACR, AMA and other groups urge legislation that would provide annual inflation-based Medicare payment updates based on the full Medicare Economic Index.
On Feb. 3, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) revised its Letters of Authorization for two emergency use authorizations (EUAs), Paxlovid and Lagevrio, to remove the requirement for positive test results to prescribe these drugs. The agency continues to recommend that providers use direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing to help diagnose COVID-19. The FDA recognizes…
Although a less central focus than it was three years ago, rheumatologists must still consider the prevention and management of SARS-CoV-2 in their patients. The following update shares ongoing considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes At the beginning of the pandemic, it was unclear whether patients with rheumatic disease would be at higher risk…