Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Rheumatology for July 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
CDC: 20 Percent of U.S. Adults Have a Disability
FRIDAY, July 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than 50 million Americans live with a physical or mental disability, according to research published in the July 31 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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AMA Wants Doctor Input on EHRs, Meaningful Use
FRIDAY, July 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) is encouraging clinicians to share their perspectives on electronic heath records (EHRs) and the meaningful use program.
U.S. Health Spending Projected to Rise 5.8 Percent By 2024
FRIDAY, July 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2024, U.S. health spending growth is projected to increase by about 6 percent, according to a report published online July 28 in Health Affairs.
Total Knee Arthroplasty Effective Option for Rheumatoid Arthritis
FRIDAY, July 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Total knee arthroplasty can temporarily return the joint to an earlier, better level of function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, new research suggests. The study was published online July 20 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
U.K. Study: Alcohol Use Tied to Less Disability in Chronic Pain
FRIDAY, July 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Moderate to heavy drinking might cut the likelihood of disability for people with chronic widespread pain such as that related to fibromyalgia, according to new research published online July 20 in Arthritis Care & Research.
U.S. Medical Groups Fighting Prescription Opioid Abuse
THURSDAY, July 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Led by the American Medical Association (AMA), a group of 27 major U.S. medical organizations are banding together to tackle the continuing epidemic of opioid abuse.
More Information – AMA
More Information – ACOG
More Information – AAFP
Home-Based Device Beneficial for Obese Patients With Knee OA
THURSDAY, July 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For obese individuals, a novel, biomechanical, home-based gait-training device is associated with improvements in gait parameters at three and 12 months, according to a study published online July 28 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
2015 MOC Program Expected to Cost $5.7 Billion Over 10 Years
WEDNESDAY, July 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The 2015 version of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) maintenance-of-certification (MOC) program is expected to generate considerable costs, mainly due to physician time costs, according to research published online July 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Patients Report Improved Care Access, Better Health With ACA
TUESDAY, July 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Millions more Americans have affordable health insurance, access to a personal doctor, and feel they are in better health following the first two open-enrollment periods of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a new analysis shows. The results are published in the July 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Not All Placebos Are Equal in Knee Osteoarthritis
TUESDAY, July 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Not all placebos are equally effective for knee osteoarthritis and some can trigger clinically relevant responses, according to a review published online July 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Delays Noted in the Reporting of Serious Patient Harms to FDA
MONDAY, July 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About 10 percent of cases where a drug does serious harm are not reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the required 15-day period, according to a new analysis published online July 27 as a research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Expansion of High-Deductible Plans to Impact Physician Care
FRIDAY, July 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the increasing popularity of high-deductible health care plans, patients now have more financial responsibility for medical services, which is impacting physician practices, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Antibiotic Use Linked to Higher Odds of Juvenile Arthritis
TUESDAY, July 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Antibiotic use may increase the risk of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), according to research published online July 20 in Pediatrics.
Patients Not Talking About Using Alternative Therapies for Pain
MONDAY, July 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many Americans with chronic pain who use alternative therapies — such as acupuncture — don’t discuss these treatments with their doctors, new research finds. The study was published online July 20 in the American Journal of Managed Care.
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Autoimmune Risk Up for Relatives of Those With Celiac Disease
MONDAY, July 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — First-degree relatives and spouses of those with celiac disease have increased risk for nonceliac autoimmune disease, according to a study published in the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Clinicians May Harbor Biases About Sexual Orientation
FRIDAY, July 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians may be biased when it comes to the sexual orientation of patients, new research suggests. The study was published online July 16 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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AMA Suggests Ways to Encourage Use of Patient Portals
THURSDAY, July 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Measures can be taken to encourage patients to use patient portals to help ensure practices meet current Stage 2 meaningful use requirements, according to an article published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Choosing Wisely: How to Implement in Clinical Practice
THURSDAY, July 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Strategies should be adopted to help with implementation of the Choosing Wisely program, which was designed to address the problem of medical overuse, according to an article published in the July/August issue of Family Practice Management.
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Progress in Reporting Conflict of Interest Among IRB Members
TUESDAY, July 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among institutional review board (IRB) members, there has been positive progress in the reporting and management of conflicts of interest, according to a study published online July 13 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Arts Observation Curriculum May Be Beneficial for Medical Students
TUESDAY, July 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of an arts observation curriculum can help students learn to observe objectively and articulate their observations, which are important traits for clinical practice, according to an article published online July 3 in Academic Medicine.
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Weight Loss Predicts Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis
MONDAY, July 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Weight loss is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online June 26 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Lifestyle Intervention Can Ward Off Obesity-Related Knee Pain
MONDAY, July 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For overweight adults with diabetes mellitus, an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) can prevent knee pain, according to a study published in the July issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
FDA Strengthens Heart Attack, Stroke Warning for NSAIDs
FRIDAY, July 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S Food and Drug Administration on Thursday strengthened the warning labels for non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), regarding increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Vitamin D Shows No Impact on Interferon Response in SLE
FRIDAY, July 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vitamin D3 supplementation does not affect interferon (IFN) signature, according to a study published in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Arthritis Patients Want Info About Multiple Drug Options
THURSDAY, July 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with inflammatory arthritis want to be informed about multiple current and future treatment options, according to research published in the July issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Rituximab Retreatment at Clinical Relapse Cost-Effective in RA
WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Rituximab retreatment at clinical relapse is at least as cost-effective as a more intensive regimen in longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published in the July issue of Arthritis Care and Research.
Risk of CVD Up in Newly Diagnosed Psoriatic Arthritis
TUESDAY, July 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many newly diagnosed psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients have an increased risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published in the July issue of Arthritis Care and Research.
Court Upholds Medical Liability Damages Cap
TUESDAY, July 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The non-economic damages cap under the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) has been upheld again in a California court of appeal, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Despite Risk to Patients, Health Providers Often Work While Sick
MONDAY, July 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many health care professionals work when they are sick, putting their patients at risk for serious illness or even death, according to a study published online July 6 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Residents’ Knowledge of High-Value Care Varies
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — U.S. internal medicine (IM) residents report varying knowledge and practice of high-value care (HVC), according to research published online June 16 in Academic Medicine.
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Public Opinion Sought on New Licensure for Assistant Physicians
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New classification of licensure for assistant physicians has been created, and public opinion is being sought by the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts prior to filing these rules with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
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