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Legislative Issues Affecting APPs
Here's a summary of legislative issues in three key areas: APRN compact and interstate licensing hold up; scope of practice; and, reimbursement hassles.
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Consensus Definitions on Difficult to Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
A substantial number of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), have difficult, persistent and hard-to-treat disease. A GRAPPA task force has developed a consensus terminology for two distinct states: complex-to-manage PsA and treatment-refractory PsA.
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Hematologic Malignancies Increased in Systemic Sclerosis
Swedish national study found that among a cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients a two-fold increase risk of hematological malignancies was seen.
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Long-Term APP Retention: Building Success for Practices and Providers
Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play an increasingly vital role in rheumatology practices across the country. With rising patient volumes and a growing demand for timely, high-quality care, incorporating an APP into a rheumatology team can be transformative.
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PROSPERO metanalysis of 22 studies & 2208 JIA associated uveitis (JIAU) showed severe visual impairment in 16.6% at ~18 yrs. Most frequent: Cataract (44.3%), followed by glaucoma, synechiae, band keratopathy and hypotony. Biologics were protective https://t.co/6OoupX64NE https://t.co/4GFnugdvod
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Scandinavian study of > 13.6 million PYs shows NO increased risk of myositis after SARS-CoV-2 (mRNA & adenoviral vector) vaccines. Data from 101 myositis events in 7,002 398 unvaccinated PYs. Adj IRR 180d risk was 0.84 (0.63–1.11) and 1.31 (0.72–2.36) respectively https://t.co/D5KVyvXaot
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RNL 25 Replay: Vasculitis
Enjoy these excerpts from the RNL 2025 meeting, and join us for RNL 2026 in Dallas, TX - registration is now open! Visit https://t.co/o78Pc8LPsQ for complete details. Featured in this video are excerpts from the following: - Dr. Michael Wechsler: https://t.co/Rk7sBosL72
Links:
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A&R USA adult rheum workforce study showed in 2019, there were 5,667 rheumatologists & 379 APPs. Betw 2009 - 2020, rheumatologist #s increased 23%, while #APP #s increased 141%. There was a signif increase in female rheumatologists & APPs over time https://t.co/Y5ZSwPLsNe https://t.co/RzDxbN7irL
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CBC & Psoriasis - case–control study 60 pts: 30 PsA & 30 PSO pts showed that PsA showed elevated WBCs, neutrophils, monocytes & inflammatory markers (NLR, MLR, SII, SIRI, & decr PMR (all p < 0.001). NLR 100% Dx accuracy (AUC = 1.000). WBC > 6.7, MLR > 0.17, & PMR ≤ 503 were https://t.co/AB7iFiMuSM
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Congratulations to Professor Stuart Ralston (Versus Arthritis Professor of Rheumatology) from the University of Edinburgh. He has been honored with the RSE Sir James Black Medal by The Royal Society of Edinburgh for his research research & dedication to medical education https://t.co/vCm4Mkp6u7
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Taiwans insurance claims, Maternal Database, & BirthRegistry examined 42,493 births to fathers w/ autoimmune Dz, 14.3% exposed to immunosuppressants or biologics. MTX posed no risk, but Cyclosporin, AZA, JAKi may be assoc w/ adverse preg outcomes, but event #s small. https://t.co/6JXaZ2HdAF
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Treating Refractory Still's Disease
A full read systematic review article examined treatment options for difficult to manage systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or Still’s disease. It classified these refractory disease patients as those with either (1) persistent https://t.co/uDeIkIek1d
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DERM on RheumNow (November 2025)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a collection of Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, other CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biiologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy and side https://t.co/mX0Hv1RRF9
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RheumNow Live 2026 is coming February 7th and 8th to Dallas, Texas - and registration is now open!
Ready for the most interactive, engaging and practice-changing rheumatology meeting of the year?
This year’s program covers vasculitis, autoimmune disease, PsA, RA outcomes, https://t.co/cftvdSn3t7
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"When you learn, teach. When you get, give." – Maya Angelou
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BASDAI scores elevated in Fibromyalgia - 58 FM pts were surveyed wtih FIQ, SSS, BASDAI. BASDAI was ≥ 4 points in 91.4% of FM (vs 13% controls (p < 0.001). BASDAI correlated w/ the FIQ (pain, fatigue, stiffness) & SSS scores (r = 0.88, p < 0.00). Could BASDAI be used in FM? https://t.co/M0tI8wjzh4
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Partial vs Total Knee Replacement: Is One Superior?
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little https://t.co/KOZwedtnxo
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Zantac is Back! Ranitidine has been off the market for 5yrs, withdrawn over concerns about N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurity affecting shelf-life. The FDA has approved reformulated ranitidine tablets - the drug has the same prior efficacy and safety label. https://t.co/ktTz5EO2Ja
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Retrospective study of 39 pts w/ MDA5 + DM-ILD Rx w baricitinib. 31 (79.5%) had improvement in Gottron’s, heliotrope, dyspnea, HRCT score, ferritin, LDH, steroid dose & 6 mo survival (87% vs. 70%, p = 0.047). https://t.co/RCTbBsCkeV https://t.co/dF8I0gF4Dy
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A New Disease Activity Score for Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
APS is a systemic autoimmune disorder. It is characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and a broad spectrum of clinical features, causing obstetric as well as thrombotic, microvascular and https://t.co/G2xGtOPmwb
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