A phase 3 clinical trial finds an anti-inflammatory drug used in rheumatoid arthritis can preserve lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Tag: Rheumatology
ACR COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Recommends Vaccination, Addresses Immunosuppressant Drugs & Patient Concerns
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Summary that provides an official recommendation to vaccinate rheumatology patients with musculoskeletal, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Important considerations and caveats on how to approach vaccination are included for patients with high disease activity and/or those taking immunosuppressant treatments.
STUDY PINS DOWN NUMBER OF AMERICANS WITH MOST COMMON FORM OF LUPUS
Just over 200,000 Americans suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, especially joints and skin, a new study shows.
National Research Effort Discovers Relationship Between Inflammation, Metabolism and Scleroderma Scarring
Study finds NAD+ break down leads to multi organ scarring, providing now a previously undiscovered pathogenic role of the enzyme CD38 in disease scarring.
Protein Linked to Progressive Lung Scarring in Scleroderma Patients
Osteopontin is discovered as the culprit behind these patients’ main cause of death. However, a repurposed immunosuppressive drug may combat the pro-inflammatory protein.
Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas From Johns Hopkins Medicine
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Tuesday.
IDSA, AAN, AND ACR RELEASE GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF LYME DISEASE
New evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease have been developed by a multidisciplinary panel led by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American College of Rheumatology. Representatives from an additional 12 medical specialties and patients also served on the panel.
61 Healthcare Groups Urge Congress to Support Implementation of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Today, more than 60 healthcare stakeholders, representing Medicare providers, signed a letter urging congressional leaders to support bipartisan legislation that would implement the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s (CMS) Calendar Year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule as written.
Eleven Provider and Patient Organizations Join the American College of Rheumatology to Oppose UnitedHealthcare Copay Accumulator Initiative
Eleven provider and patient organizations have joined the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) to petition UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to cancel plans to implement a proposed copay accumulator initiative that would require physicians to share details about their patients’ usage of copay assistance programs. The initiative would prevent funds from assistance programs from being applied towards patients’ annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. The groups warn that this would jeopardize patient access to medically necessary therapies by increasing the financial burden of care and lead to an increase in treatment abandonment.
ACR Responds to CY2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) applauded the agency for continuing to recognize the value of rheumatology, by affirming changes to E/M reimbursement to better reflect the work and expertise needed to treat complex patient populations.
Rheumatology Leaders and Patient Advocates Urge Congress to Address Care Challenges Exacerbated by COVID-19 During Advocates for Arthritis
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) will hold its first virtual Advocates for Arthritis event on Tuesday, Sept. 15, where more than 120 rheumatologists, rheumatology health professionals, and patient advocates will meet with lawmakers via video to discuss the healthcare challenges they are facing in the midst of COVID-19.
Press Registration Opens for ACR Convergence 2020
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Association for Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) welcomes members of the press to write about research presented at ACR Convergence 2020, the ACR’s annual meeting
American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Meeting Pivots to All-Virtual Format
In keeping with global efforts to stem the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) will take its annual, face-to-face meeting virtual. ACR Convergence will take place online Nov. 5 – 9.
ACR Applauds E/M Coding Changes, Telehealth Expansion in FY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today applauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for taking steps to appropriately value cognitive care and expand telehealth access in its FY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule.
ACR Releases Position Statement on Telemedicine
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released an official position statement supporting the role of telemedicine as a tool with the potential to increase access and improve care for patients with rheumatic diseases. It also highlights the significant barriers and opportunities presented to patients and rheumatology professionals.
Prominent Rheumatologist to Create Scleroderma Program at Kao Institute
Nationally recognized rheumatology expert Francesco Boin, MD, has been appointed director of the division of Rheumatology and director of the new Scleroderma Program at Cedars-Sinai. Boin is an accomplished and widely published investigator of autoimmune diseases, with a reputation for clinical excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
Princess U. Ogbogu, MD, Appointed Chief, Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s
Princess U. Ogbogu, MD, has been appointed Chief of the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. She comes to UH Rainbow from The Ohio State University, where she served as Director, Division of Allergy and Immunology, and Associate Professor of Medicine since 2016.
During Virtual Hill Visits, Rheumatology Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Provide Targeted COVID-19 Relief for Healthcare Practices
In virtual meetings with lawmakers and on Twitter tomorrow, physician and health professional leaders from the American College of Rheumatology are sounding the alarm about the economic impact of COVID-19 on rheumatology practices and the urgent need for targeted relief to help specialty practices remain solvent and continue to serve patients.
ACR Releases Gout Management Guideline with Emphasis on Treat-to-Target Strategy for Urate Lowering Therapy
Today, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) released the 2020 Guideline for the Management of Gout.
Arthritis Drug Presents Promise as Treatment for COVID-19 Pneumonia
UC San Diego Health has launched a Phase III clinical trial to assess whether a medication used to treat rheumatoid might also have therapeutic value for patient with COVID-19 who have developed or are at high risk of developing serious lung damage from SARS-CoV-2 infections.
ACR Releases Position Statement on Prior Authorization
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released an official position statement concerning prior authorization for the approval of prescription medications, highlighting the significant burdens it creates for patients and rheumatology professionals. This process can result in a significant delay of care or treatments, treatment abandonment and potential harm to patients.
The Medical Minute: Seven surprising facts about osteoarthritis
No cure for osteoarthritis exists, but many treatments can help people manage the pain and stiffness that often occur.
ACR Releases First Guideline to Address Reproductive Health for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
This is the first, evidence-based guideline related to the management of reproductive health issues for all patients with rheumatic diseases. With 131 recommendations, the guideline offers general precepts that provide a foundation for its recommendations and good practice statements.
Fewer Steroids, No Plasma Exchange: A Change in Treatment for Vasculitis
The insights from the PEXIVAS Trial, a 10-year study, shows treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis can become much more patient-friendly by using half the typical dose of steroids and no blood plasma exchanges
Seven Medical Societies Join the ACR to Oppose Insurer Policy Limiting Access to In-Office Treatments
Providers are concerned the mandate adds an additional layer of red tape that will delay patient care, reduce the ability of providers to ensure therapies have been properly handled and safely stored, inflate patient out-of-pocket costs, and result in an increase of drug waste.
American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Release Updated Treatment Guideline for Osteoarthritis
Today, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation (AF), released the 2019 ACR/AF Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip and Knee.
Complimentary Press Registration Available for the 2020 Winter Rheumatology Symposium
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) welcomes members of the press to write about rheumatology research presented at the Winter Rheumatology Symposium in Snowmass Village, CO on January 25 -31, 2020.
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY ANNOUNCES 2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) announced the 2019 recipients of its Master of the ACR designation, Awards of Distinction, and Distinguished Fellow Award honors during the opening lecture of the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting.
Methotrexate Significantly Reduces Joint Damage Progression Over Placebo in Erosive Hand OA, and May Facilitate Bone Remodeling
According to new research findings presented at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, methotrexate did not demonstrate superior efficacy over placebo for pain relief and function evolution at three and 12 months in patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis, but did significantly reduce the progression of joint damage over placebo and seems to facilitate bone remodeling in these patients
ADA2 is a Sensitive, Specific Biomarker for Life-Threatening Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Systemic JIA
According to new research findings presented at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2) in the peripheral blood is a sensitive, specific biomarker for macrophage activation syndrome, a potentially life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (systemic JIA)
Children with Down Syndrome at Increased Risk for Associated Inflammatory, Erosive Arthritis
A new study finds that children with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of an associated form of arthritis.
2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting Press Registration Closes Soon
The deadline for complimentary press registration for the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 23.