Kim Steinbarger, PT, MHS, knows how physical and occupational therapy can make a difference for patients with rheumatic diseases. Ms. Steinbarger was just two years into her career as a physical therapist (PT) when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 1991. “I’ve seen how regular exercise serves as an important tool in managing…
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare condition caused by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The condition is subdivided into the GI layers it affects: mucosal, muscular and subserosal.1 EGE usually presents with non-specific GI symptoms, such as impaired motility, intestinal obstruction and, rarely, ascites.2 Below, we report a rare case of EGE leading…
Monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition commonly occurs within the distal appendicular skeleton. The peripheral nature of gout is a hallmark feature described in the ACR and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) clinical practice guidelines.1 In this article, we report a rare presentation of a common disease: a case of axial gouty arthropathy masquerading as…
I would like to tell you a story. Two, actually. I am just returning from the 19th International Vasculitis and ANCA Workshop, which is always a fascinating meeting. In its inception, it was a workshop, in the true sense of the word. Now, we discuss anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) testing as casually as we discuss…
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic multi-system autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and subsequent destruction of exocrine glands. Sjögren’s syndrome can present with glandular or extra-glandular manifestations. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease that can present as the initial manifestation in less than 5% of patients with Sjögren’s….
A study comparing seven biologic DMARDs in RA patients aged 65 years and older found abatacept had the highest retention rate and the lowest discontinuation rate…
Treating patients with rheumatic disease for their addictions will also encourage patients to address their overall health conditions, resulting in better medical adherence…
Recent research indicates that low-density neutrophils, such as low-density granulocytes, exert proinflammatory effects on the T cells of SLE patients. In the study, researchers confirmed SLE patients had a higher prevalence of low-density granulocytes than healthy controls and that these cells appeared to promote a Th1 response…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—After an immune-related adverse event, the risk-reward ratio for an anti-PD-1 (anti-programmed death-1) or anti-PD-L1 (anti-programmed death ligand-1) rechallenge seems to be acceptable if patients are closely monitored, researchers say. “The immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 have proven efficacy in the treatment of many cancers, but patients may experience immune-related adverse…
The pathogenesis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is complicated and may involve local inflammation, vasculopathy, pregnancy complications and thrombosis. During the 2019 ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium, Lisa Sammaritano, MD, addressed the risk assessment and treatment of APS patients…