Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

Meeting Reports

Subcategories:EULAR/OtherOther ACR meetings

JAK Inhibitors vs. TNF Inhibitors: Understanding Infection Risks

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Research from Choi et al. provides insights into the risk of infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), comparing patients treated with Janus kinase inhibitors vs. tumor necrosis inhibitors. The most frequent infection was herpes zoster, with patients treated with JAK inhibitors having a significantly greater risk of herpes zoster infection than those treated with TNF inhibitors.

Point-of-Care Uric Acid Testing

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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…

Rheumatology Online: The State of the Art on Social Media

Mithu Maheswaranathan, MD  |  

PHILADELPHIA—A session on social media in rheumatology at ACR Convergence 2022 focused on how to use social media to promote one’s work and collaborate on international research projects, as well as the use of podcasts in educating rheumatologists. Engaging at Conferences Jean Liew, MD, MS, assistant professor of medicine in the Section of Rheumatology at…

Rheumatology Online: Disseminating the State of the Art on Social Media at ACR Convergence 2022

Mithu Maheswaranathan  |  

PHILADELPHIA—A session on social media in rheumatology at ACR Convergence 2022 focused on how to use social media to promote one’s work and collaborate on international research projects, as well as the use of podcasts in educating rheumatologists. Engaging with Social Media at Conferences Jean Liew, MD, MS, assistant professor of medicine in the Section…

Overcoming Healthcare Disparity

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PHILADELPHIA—Quality improvement (QI) tools in pediatric rheumatology can help overcome health outcome disparities that are based on race, gender identity, income and other factors, experts said in a session at ACR Convergence. With it well established that these disparities exist, it’s time to begin eliminating them, said Emily Smitherman, MD, MS, assistant professor of pediatric…

FDA Officials Speak Out: New Approvals & Safety Concerns Discussed

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PHILADELPHIA—Officials from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration discussed recent drug approvals and drug safety issues at ACR Convergence in November in a session that captured the flurry of activity in the rheumatology sphere at the agency over the past year. Sabiha Khan, MD, clinical reviewer in the Division of Rheumatology and Transplant Medicine at…

Mitigating Drug Shortages: FDA Officials Say Communication Is Crucial

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PHILADELPHIA—The most vital component of avoiding drug shortages is early communication, officials from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) said in a session at ACR Convergence 2022 in November. “Early notification is key in order to prevent and mitigate shortages,” said Hyun Son, PharmD, a member of the Drug Shortage Staff with the FDA…

Advocacy Is Central to Patient Care, Distinguished Lecturer Says

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When she saw vaping taking hold at a middle school, Kamala Nola, PharmD, MS, spoke up about concerns for the students’ risk of rheumatic disease and other health issues. At ACR Convergence 2022, Dr. Nola emphasized that every healthcare professional can act as an advocate through everyday actions.