The ACR has released clinical guidance documents for pediatric patients with rheumatic disease in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including one for multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Jay Mehta, MD, MS, an attending physician in the Division of Rheumatology and director of the Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP),…
The conversation with Stephen Hahn, MD, addressed challenges associated with hydroxychloroquine access during the COVID-19 public health emergency and handling patient concerns about potential cardiac side effects.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the expansion of telemedicine across the U.S., which has opened up access to doctor’s offices for families with limited resources. But at the same time, the health disparity gap could continue to widen unless safeguards are put into place, according to a pair of new editorials. “There…
The ACR, on behalf of its more than 7,700 members of the professional rheumatology community, wishes to express strong support for Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and his continued and close involvement in the work to address the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During…
ZURICH (Reuters)—Roche’s attempt to retool its rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab) to treat patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19-related pneumonia has failed in a late-stage trial, the Swiss company said on July 29. Roche launched the 452-patient trial in March as it joined other pharmaceutical companies seeking to re-purpose existing medicines to fight the pandemic. The…
Note: This article was updated July 21 to add recommendations on restarting biologics following COVID-19. On April 29, the ACR released Guidance for the Management of Adult Patients with Rheumatic Disease During the COVID‐19 Pandemic and later updated the guidance for publication in Arthritis & Rheumatology. The recommendations address various treatment options and provide general…
Community rheumatology practices are confronting a significant financial fallout from stay-at-home orders and fears that keep patients at home, as well as reimbursement challenges.
With usual in-person fundraisers and meetings not possible during the pandemic, RheumPAC is finding creative ways to keep advocating for influential legislation and ensure rheumatology’s voice is heard in Washington, D.C.
The ACR’s July 13 online town hall, “COVID-19 Guidance for Community Practices,” covered telehealth, safe clinic reopening and Department of Health & Human Services loans.
(Reuters Health)—During the COVID-19 pandemic, an inflammatory condition similar to Kawasaki disease has been reported in children and adolescents, and now two groups of New York doctors each describe a case, one in a 36-year-old woman and one in a 45-year-old man.1 “We’re still learning how COVID-19 is affecting children and adults. The better we…