An Autoimmune Diagnosis Alters Perceptions of Pregnancy and Lactation

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A study from UT Southwestern and the Baylor Research Institute examined the preceptions and practices of women with autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) noting that an AIRD diagnosis changed most womens future hopes and plans regarding pregnancy and lactation.

ACR Position Statements on Drug Pricing and Step Therapy

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The American College of Rheumatology Committee on Rheumatologic Care has released new drug pricing and step therapy position statements that they hope legislators will consider as they continue to explore policy and regulatory options to make drugs more affordable and accessible.  

2018 Swedish Guidelines for Giant Cell Arteritis Treatment

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The Swedish Society of Rheumatology has developed evidence-based guidelines for the management of giant cell arteritis (GCA) with a focus on the appropriate use of corticosteroids and tocilizumab. 

Multiple Delays in Referral of New RA Patients

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A UK study of early onset arthritis or new rheumatoid arthritis patients shows multiple sources of delayed referral to the first rheumatology consultation.

Medical Meetings: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

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Say a conference in your field was just announced. You think you "should" go, and you know you'll be choosing from many presentation opportunities that feature the latest research — which you want to know about. And you'll get to hang with like minds and talk about things that matter.

Multidisciplinary Recommendations for Rheumatoid Foot Problems

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Approximately 90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have foot problems.

2019: the Year of Price Hikes

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In 2019 there have been numerous reports of higher drug pricing for many drugs.  Yesterday it was reported that the price of insulin drugs have more than doubled from 2012 to 2016.

Smoking Doesn't Influence Rituximab Responses in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Alcohol, smoking and obesity have all been shown to influence the risk and activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may also influence response to therapy. This study assesssed whether smoking would influence response to rituximab (RTX) in RA. 

2018 Rheumatology Year In Review

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This annual appraisal of hallmark moments, news and research articles from 2018 are gleaned from that published in RheumNow during the last year and filtered by other news sources and literature review.  The top 10 list herein is rooted in what rheumatologists should know and what will likel

Best of 2018: Advance Practice Clinicians Proliferating in Specialty Practices

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An analysis of SK&A outpatient provider files, covering 90% of physician practices in the United States, shows that between 2008 to 2016, there was a 22% increase in the employment of advanced practice clinicians (APCs) by specialty practices.  By 2016, 28% of all specialty practices employed APCs.

Best of 2018: Patients May Not Fill Your Prescription

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A new study linking administrative claims and electronic health records (EHRs) shows that nearly 40% of patients fill and take newly prescribed methotrexate (MTX), tofacitinib or biologics. 

Kan et al set out to estimate the extent and predictors of primary nonadherence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who received new prescriptions for methotrexate, biologics or tofacitinib.

Rheumatologist and Physician Salaries for 2018

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Medpage Today has published the results of their 2018 Rheumatology Specialty Salaray Survey.

Patients Don't Always Tell the Truth

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Sometimes patients withhold information from their doctors, and a new study suggests that as much as 60 - 80% of patients consciously omit information to their doctors, despite knowing this may bear on their health and well-being.

Deprescribing to Battle Polypharmacy

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The Gerontological Society of America has published a report calling for deprescribing as a means of managing polypharmacy in the elderly.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

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The data are clear and disappointing: despite the well-known health benefits, four out of five US adults are not active physically.  JAMA has published the new US Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, so that health professionals and policy makers can promote lifestyle changes and awar

Scleroderma Expert Treatment Preferences

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Frustration may be the word that best characterizes many scleroderma management plans - owing to a lack of trials, lack of agreement and lack of clear guidance on management.

RheumNow Weekly Podcast – 3 Wiseguy Rheumatologists (11.9.18)

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Dr Jack Cush reviews the News and Journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Be sure to check out our upcoming meeting in March 2019 - RheumNow Live.

E/M Guidelines: Right Road, Wrong Direction

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Last July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed new E/M guidelines for office visits with physicians. It issued the final guidelines on November 1, with a few tweaks.