ACR/SPARTAN 2015 Recommendations for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

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The ACR and SPARTAN (Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network) has worked together to study 57 specific treatment questions regarding AS and SpA.  The following guidelines have recently been published after conducting systematic literature reviews.

Dr. Woodcock Gives Senate FDA Update on Biosimilars

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Biologics have been a great advance in therapeutics, but at great cost. Although biologics account for less than 1% of all prescriptions in the USA, they account for 28% percent of the cost of prescribed medications.

ICD-10 Tips for Procrastinators

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On October 1st, your coding memory will be getting a big and unwelcomed upgrade.

Even if the goverment shuts down, ICD-10 implementation goes forward.

Below are several sources to review what's ahead and what you should be focused on at this point.

The Deadly Truth behind Paxil’s Study 329

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Study 329 was published in 2001, and became a pivotal study for the anti-depressant drug Paxil (paroxetine). In 2002, over 2 million prescriptions were written for Paxil.

Medical Societies to CMS: Not Ready for Stage 3 Meaningful Use

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Dozens of medical societies pressed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to temporarily halt implementation of the final stage of Meaningful Use, a program that rewards and penalizes clinicians based on how effectively they use electronic medical records.

Only 1 in 5 Seek Treatment for Raynaud's

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October is Raynaud's Awareness Month according to the Raynaud's Association (http://www.raynauds.org), and a whopping 80 percent of sufferers are not aware they have the disorder and do not seek treatment.

Increasing Numbers of Knee Replacements

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Knee replacement surgery is on the rise, and so is the cost.

Answering Patient Emails

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A recent article by Dr. Joseph Eastern of the Pediatric News Network addressed an issue that confronts all practitioners - how do you handle email from patients?

Fibromyalgia Prevalence & Characteristics

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PLOS has reported the results of the 2012 US National Health Interview Survey that focuses on fibromyalgia.

Biosimilar SB4 Performs Equally to Etanercept

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Biosimilars are rapidly growing. Many of these will have their first introduction to countries outside of the USA. There is concern whether biosimilars will provide identical pharmacodynamics, biological function, efficacy and toxicity to reference products, both in the short and long term.

PLLR - The Pregnancy & Lactation Labeling Rule Explained

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A recent article from Healio.com reviewed the FDA’s Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) that became effective June 30th.

DATA-Switch Study Finds the Right Sequence to Building Better Bone Mass

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Long-term management of osteoporosis can be challenging, and given the increasing number of choices, the best sequence of drug use has not been addressed adequately.  

Future 2 Trial Shows Secukinumab Efficacy in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Secukinumab (Cosentyx) is an anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibody currently approved for use in moderate to severe psoriasis.  It has also been studied in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and shown to be safe and effective.

DAS28-CRP or DAS28-ESR: Are they Biosimilar?

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The disease activity score (DAS28) has been developed as a dynamic assessment tool and a therapeutic response measure for use in clinical trials and practice.

ACR Position on MOC Highlighted in Newsweek

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Newsweek has reported that the American Board of Internal Medicine has struggled in the last year with increasing criticism over its requirements for maintenance of certification, or MOC.

New Drugs, New Hope for Pulmonary Fibrosis

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The Wall Street Journal reports that new drug development offers hope for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare, progressive fibrosing lung disorder that affects nearly 200,000 Americans, mostly middle-aged and older adults. 

Gouty Tomatoes, Alveolar Hemorrhage and Famous RA Faces: August 2015 Top Social Media News

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In August, RheumNow published 76 tweets covering novel news, research and teaching points gleaned from the medical literature, regulatory reports and internet sources. We had a reach (impressions) of 60,800, with 45 mentions, and 2049 visits to RheumNow.com.

Prolonged Breastfeeding Associated with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

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The effects of prior breastfeeding on bone density of postmenopausal women have been controversial. Several studies suggest that breastfeeding and childbirth lead to maternal calcium loss and a decline in bone mineral density (BMD).

Diastolic Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Poor cardiovascular outcomes have been linked to inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This includes higher rates of MI and heart failure (HF).

Gout: New Classification Criteria from ACR/EULAR

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The American College of Rheumatology and the European League against Rheumatism joined forces to finalize classification criteria for gout, a condition that affects 8.3 million Americans.