As a veteran rheumatologist, I remember the clinical trials of etanercept’s (Enbrel’s) efficacy. And when the drug was first approved in 1998, I participated in those clinical trials and realized the effectiveness was astonishing. It was easy to tell which patients were treated with etanercept vs. those who received placebo, even though both groups were…
The ACR Insurance Subcommittee is working to address specialty pharmacy requirements for in-office treatments, elimination of consultation codes and other coverage and reimbursement challenges.
Calvin R. Brown Jr., MD, of Chicago, passed away Dec. 1, 2019. He was 66 years old. In the course of a medical career, you meet dozens of people who impact you in one way or another. Patients, professors, fellow students, colleagues in your practice—all help shape who we become as a physician. Sometimes, though,…
A rare form of large vessel vasculitis, Takayasu arteritis persents with no clear patterns, with patients experiencing vascular symptoms, as well as such systemic symptoms as fever and weight loss. A systematic literature review found evidence to guide rheumatologists in monitoring and treating their patients with Takayasu arteritis…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa face an increased risk of developing inflammatory arthritis, according to findings from a claims database. “We observed increased risks of developing ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa when compared with those without hidradenitis suppurativa,” says Maria C. Schneeweiss, MD, of Brigham…
The 22nd PANLAR Pan-American Congress of Rheumatology will provide rheumatologists access to a cutting-edge scientific program and the opportunity to meet colleagues from all over the Americas…
ATLANTA—Dry eyes and mouth are common symptoms in the general population. When patients report these symptoms to their primary care provider and other consultants, it may prompt a referral to a rheumatologist to rule out Sjögren’s syndrome. However, as discussed in the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting session, Sjögren’s Syndrome: Beyond the Dryness, evaluation of this…
ATLANTA—Managing teenage patients may present challenges for pediatric rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals not only because of their often complex, rare conditions, but because teenagers are, well, teenagers. Teens may experiment with sexual intercourse, alcohol use, tobacco or vaping e-cigarettes to fit in with their peers, even if these habits have serious health consequences, according to…
ATLANTA—When it comes to identifying reliable biomarkers that can predict worsening illness or help point to proper treatment, it’s hard to imagine a more vexing disease than systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), said Jill P. Buyon, MD, director of the Lupus Center at New York University Langone Medical Center, in the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting session…
ATLANTA—Around 2002, when Vincent Del Gaizo’s son was just 15 months old, he was hospitalized in an intensive care unit and, weeks later, was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). “We had the same 8 trillion questions that all parents have when their child is diagnosed with a condition you’ve never heard of: ‘Is…