Articles By Jiha Lee, MD
Introducing Polyrefractory RA: A New Frontier in Difficult-to-Treat RA
By Jiha Lee, MD
At a EULAR 2025 session titled “What makes ‘Difficult-to-treat RA’ so difficult to treat? And what can we do?”, Drs. Paula David and Dennis McGonagle introduced the emerging concept of polyrefractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a term now being used to describe a subset of patients who have failed to respond to five or more biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs. This new classification, derived from recent multinational registry data, represents a significant step in refining our understanding and management of the most treatment-resistant forms of RA.
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Late-Onset Disease: Different Age, Different Rules?
By Jiha Lee, MD
We’re seeing more patients develop rheumatic diseases for the first time in their 60s, 70s, or beyond. But are these truly the same diseases we see in younger adults, or do they behave differently, shaped by age-related biology, comorbidity, and the biases that influence medical decision-making? Several abstracts presented at EULAR 2025 challenge us to reconsider how we diagnose and treat rheumatic disease in older adults.
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ICYMI: Improving the Value of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatology Care
By Jiha Lee, MD
Unlike traditional imaging techniques, MSUS can be easily used at the point-of-care and offers high-resolution images of joints, tendons, and soft tissues, facilitating the early detection of inflammation and structural damage. On Saturday, November 16th at the ACR Convergence 2024, Dr. Veena Ranganath, Dr. Gurjit Kaeley, and Dr. Catherine Bakewell will present the “Proposed ACR Guidance for Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis.” This is the first update in a decade since the 2012 ACR guidance on the reasonable use of MSUS in rheumatology clinical practice.
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Maximizing DMARDs to Strive for Steroid-Free Remission in RA
By Jiha Lee, MD
In 1950, three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking discovery of steroids, heralded at the time as a "miracle cure" for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
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Improving fertility in women with RA
By Jiha Lee, MD
For many women, the journey to motherhood brings a sense of anticipation and joy. However, for those with rheumatoid arthritis, this journey presents unique challenges. At ACR Convergence 2024, researchers discussed how advancements in reproductive medicine and RA management are paving the way for improved outcomes.
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Improving the Value of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatology Care
By Jiha Lee, MD
Unlike traditional imaging techniques, MSUS can be easily used at the point-of-care and offers high-resolution images of joints, tendons, and soft tissues, facilitating the early detection of inflammation and structural damage. On Saturday, November 16th at the ACR Convergence 2024, Dr. Veena Ranganath, Dr. Gurjit Kaeley, and Dr. Catherine Bakewell will present the “Proposed ACR Guidance for Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis.” This is the first update in a decade since the 2012 ACR guidance on the reasonable use of MSUS in rheumatology clinical practice.
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