Staff, Author at The Rheumatologist

Articles by Staff

Ethics Forum: The Ethical Pitfalls of Clinical Trials

Robert H. Shmerling, MD | April 6, 2012

Your patient is deciding whether to enroll in a clinical trial at your institution and wants your advice about whether to participate.

Ethics Forum: Letters from Our Readers—Accepting Gifts

Ines Colmegna, MD | April 6, 2012

We received a few letters in response to the December 2011 Ethics Forum, which asked the question: What is your personal policy about accepting gifts?

Letter: Another Thinking Discipline

Walter Doege, MD | April 6, 2012

I read today the article “How a Rheumatologist Thinks” and I want to say that is one of the most interesting articles I’ve read about clinical medicine.

Letter: Thanks and Farewell

John Luetkemeyer, MD | April 6, 2012

Dr. Pisetsky, I want to personally thank you for the time spent by you as editor of The Rheumatologist.

ACR Coding Specialist Responds to Letter: Of Coding and Perception

Melesia R. Tillman, CPC-I, CRHC, CHA | April 6, 2012

Thank you for forwarding this concern; feedback on the “Coding Corners” is greatly appreciated. I would like to discuss each issue line by line.

Letter: Of Coding and Perception

Paul Waytz, MD | April 6, 2012

Regarding the February “Coding Corner,” although I know that the upcoding was legitimized by the time spent (30 minutes), I have some philosophical concerns, especially because our business manager stresses that coding based on time can be a delicate issue.

The Mystery of IVIg

Eveline Wu, MD, Michael M. Frank, MD | March 8, 2012

Although initially given as replacement therapy for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency states, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has proven to be effective in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This success has led to a dramatic increase in the use of IVIg, with its use as an antiinflammatory agent now vastly surpassing its use in the treatment of immunodeficiencies. Even so, the basis for the antiinflammatory activity of IVIg remains unclear.

First ARHP ‘Best of the Meeting’ Highlights Sleep Research, Osteoporosis Screening, More

Kathleen Louden | March 8, 2012

“The line between ACR and ARHP sessions has totally blurred,” said Donah Zack Crawford, MA, during the presentation, “Highlights from the 2011 ARHP Sessions,” here at the 2011 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting held in Chicago in November 2011.

Biosimilar Drugs Face Challenges to Reach the U.S. Market

Kathleen Louden | March 8, 2012

To date, the FDA has not approved a biosimilar product. In its own discussion of the merits and obstacles to biosimilar drugs, the ACR sponsored a panel session titled, “Biosimilar Products in the U.S. Market: Fact or Fiction?” at the 2011 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting here in November.

Maintenance of Certification Is Not Just for the Young

James R. O’Dell, MD | March 8, 2012

I certainly am relieved to know that I will never need to recertify with the American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification, but this feeling is shadowed by a deep sense of shame. I decided to step up and take advantage of all the wonderful recertification programs the ACR has to offer.