Focus Rheums| ACR Convergence 2024 Previews

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

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ACR/ARP Members Educate Lawmakers

Ryan Basen  |  

Dozens of rheumatology leaders met with more than 100 politicos on Capitol Hill in mid-May, per the ACR’s annual Advocacy Leadership Conference. Armed with research and advocacy training concerning a handful of important issues, rheumatologists, researchers, government affairs specialists and others met with federal lawmakers, legislative aides and correspondents. The two-day conference, which featured the…

ACR Leaders to Meet with Members of Congress

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On May 16, ACR and ARP leaders serving on the Board of Directors, Affiliate Society Council, Government Affairs Committee, Committee on Rheumatologic Care, RheumPAC and Insurance Subcommittee will go to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the College’s membership and our patients. The group represents 31 states and the District of Columbia, and will…

Chronic Opioid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Prevalence & Predictors

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Over the past decade, physicians, patients and policy makers have expressed increasing concern about the high frequency of opioids being prescribed and the association between opioid use and poor outcomes. Rates of opioid prescriptions in the general population rose considerably from the 1990s through 2010, with a plateau in the early 2010s. In 2015, 38%…

Experts Offer Management Tips, from Contracts to Credentials to Audits

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CHICAGO—Medical practice consultant Owen Dahl, MBA, LFACHE, CHBC, looked out at the rheumatology practice managers and physicians, sitting around tables with white tablecloths, and asked what seemed like a simple question: “How many of you have a strategic plan?” he asked. A single hand was raised. “One? How do you know where to go tomorrow…

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Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, Part 1: Psoriatic Arthritis

Mary Choy, PharmD, BCGP, FASHP  |  

Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options, others have few or only off-label options. This series, Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…

For Psoriasis, Ustekinumab & TNF Inhibitors Show Similar Cardiac Safety

David Douglas  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—In patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the incidence of atrial fibrillation and major adverse cardiovascular events does not differ between treatment with ustekinumab and TNF inhibitors, according to a large observational study. “Given a high cardiovascular risk among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis,” Seoyoung C. Kim, MD, ScD, MSCE, told…

Advocacy Begins at Home

Chris Morris, MD  |  

As the frustration with changes in healthcare grows, and after speaking with the vociferous advocates who are part of the ACR, you have decided that you need to become involved in advocacy for your patients, your practice and your profession. Welcome to the fold. How to Help from Home Many people indicate they aren’t more…

Knee Replacement in Younger Patients Has Higher Complication Rate

Megan Brooks  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Total knee replacement (TKA) is increasingly being performed in younger patients, and new research suggests that these patients have a higher risk for complications than older patients. “The number of knee replacements we are doing in younger and younger patients keeps increasing every year and we need to let these patients know…

Happiness in Rheumatology

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A 2019 report says rheumatologists are the happiest medical specialists outside of work. Simon Helfgott, MD, says this finding shows “we have been able to blend an interesting, intellectually stimulating profession and practice with the ability to help people.”..