Here are a few of the highlights from day 1 EULAR in Madrid. 

Many of the great presentations from EULAR 2019 feature industry sponsored clinical trials.  Often these become the pivotal studies for regulatory approval and the annual congresses are their first look.

EULAR 2019 begins today in Madrid and features over 2000 presentations.  After an initial review of titles and abstracts, I’ve compiled a hit list of presentations of interest to me and hopefully other practicing rheumatologists.  

The first EULAR recommendations for the diagnosis of gout were published in 2006. A task force was formed and following a systematic review, they voted unanimously for changes in all items of the 2006 recommendations.

Rheumatology Leaders Join a Coalition of National Medical Specialties in Urging Congress to Protect Patients from Prior Authorization Requirements in Medicare Advantage Plans

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles of note from this past week on RheumNow.com.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Steven C. Echard, IOM, CAE  is the new Executive Vice President (EVP) of the American College of Rheumatology.

Dr. Jack Cush presents the news and best of rheumatology and medicine from the past week on RheumNow.com

An article in the Annals of Internal Medicine has analyzed the cost-consequences of physician burnout, including costs related to physician turnover and reduced clinical hours.

Dr. Jack Cush Reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com

 In August 2018, the CMS announced that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans would be allowed to utilize step therapy for Part B drugs. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) expressed strong concerns about this proposal.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the latest journal articles and rheumatology news from the past week on RheumNow.com:

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) have released two guidelines on management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

A study from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR-RA) demonstrates that polypharmacy is a predictor of lower treatment responses and more serious adverse events (SAEs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

The goal of SLE treatment is remission or low disease activity and flare prevention. Hydroxychloroquine is recommended in all patients with lupus, at a dose not exceeding 5 mg/kg real body weight. Glucocorticoids (GC) should be minimised to less than 7.5 mg/day (prednisone equivalent). Appropriate initiation of immunomodulatory agents (methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate) can be tailored to the clinical scenarios and may allow for tapering or discontinuation of GC.