Anti-TNF certolizumab pegol effective in early RA
Anti-TNF drug certolizumab pegol in combination with methotrexate achieves significantly better outcomes in early active rheumatoid arthritis than does methotrexate alone, according to... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 27, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Judge says feds overstepped on ACA cost-sharing subsidies
The Obama administration suffered another legal judgment against the Affordable Care Act when a district court judge ruled that the government has wrongly spent billions of dollars to repay insurers... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 23, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, TEN not as rare as thought
SCOTTSDALE – Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are not quite as rare as previously thought, according to one of the first population-based epidemiologic studies of the... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 21, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Decision Support in Medicine: Behçet’s Syndrome
1. Does this patient have Behçet’s Syndrome?Behçet’s syndrome (BS) is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcerations, genital ulcers, skin,... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 20, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Doctors ask Congress to stop Part B drug payment test
WASHINGTON – Physician organizations are calling on Congress to stop a proposed federal regulation that would test how Medicare pays for drugs administered in a physician’s office. Subcommittee... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 17, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Law & Medicine: Locality rule
Question: An injured patient alleges that her eye doctor was negligent in failing to adhere to national treatment guidelines and in not using modern medical equipment. The encounter took place in a... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 17, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

NSAIDs work best in selected systemic JIA kids
BALTIMORE – Children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis have the best odds for responding to initial treatment with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug if they are no older than 6 years... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 16, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

What standards do insurance companies hold themselves to?
My newest iteration of a VIP, or very ill patient, is a lovely middle-aged gentleman who has been sick for a year with a multisystem disorder. It started with severely swollen hands and feet along... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 16, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Serious infections are increasing among psoriasis inpatients
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – From enterocolitis to MRSA, serious infections are on the rise among inpatients with psoriasis, and psoriasis is an independent risk factor for serious infections, according to... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 16, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Mastering MACRA: How to thrive under new payment models
As MACRA makes quality-based care the law of the land, don’t just glide under the new expectations, thrive. That advice comes from accountable care experts who are seeing firsthand the tools leading... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 13, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

More connective tissue disease–associated PAH seen in older patients
Patient age contributes to significant differences in the characteristics and etiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension seen in randomized, controlled trials, including more frequent connective... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 13, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Study lays groundwork for refractory cutaneous lupus treatment algorithms
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – Thalidomide, methotrexate, dapsone, and belimumab may be the best treatment alternatives for cutaneous lupus erythematosus that is refractory to antimalarials, based on reviews of... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 13, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

DACA: High Court ruling could squash dreams of becoming a doctor
Growing up, Denisse Rojas Marquez rarely visited the doctor. As undocumented immigrants from Mexico, her family viewed medical care as a luxury and sought it only in emergencies. “I would always... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 12, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

CMS: MACRA impact on small/solo practices not as dramatic as predicted in regs
MACRA will not be as hard on small and solo practices as it first appeared when draft implementing regulations were published, according to Andy Slavitt, administrator of the Centers for Medicare... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 12, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

PIANO study provides insight on safety of biologics in pregnancy
MAUI, HAWAII – The consensus among gastroenterologists with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease is that continuation of biologics or immunomodulators in affected women throughout pregnancy and... (Source: Rheumatology News)
Source: Rheumatology News - May 11, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research