Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Rheumatology for March 2020. 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.
Doctors, Hospitals, Pharmacies Warned Not to Stockpile Meds
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a joint statement released by the American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the professional groups “strongly oppose” physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals prophylactically prescribing medications or purchasing excessive amounts or stockpiles of potential treatments for COVID-19.
Joint Statement
U.S. Army Opens Field Hospital in New York City
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first U.S. Army field hospital for civilian patients opened in New York City Monday and could be the first of many across the nation as it struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.
PPE Negative for SARS-CoV-2 After Patient Contact
FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Samples collected from personal protective equipment (PPE) from health care workers (HCWs) caring for patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were negative for SARS-CoV-2, according to research published online March 26 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Workers at Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Can Access Online Training
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The National Institutes of Health has launched a new website with educational resources for hospital employees, emergency first responders, and other workers at risk for exposure to COVID-19.
National Health Spending Expected to Increase Through 2028
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — National health expenditures are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent for 2019 to 2028, representing almost 20 percent of U.S. gross domestic product by 2028, according to a study published online March 24 in Health Affairs.
Cumulative Dose of Oral Steroids Associated With HTN Incidence
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For adults with any of six chronic inflammatory diseases, a cumulative dose of oral glucocorticoids is associated with an increased incidence of hypertension, according to a study published online March 23 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Serial Interval of COVID-19 Estimated at 3.96 Days
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The serial interval of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), defined as the time between a primary case and secondary case developing symptoms, is 3.96 days, according to a study published online March 19 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sociodemographic Disparities Seen for Outpatient Orthopedic Care
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There are substantial sociodemographic disparities in the use of office-based orthopedic care and emergency department care for common, nonemergent musculoskeletal conditions, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.
Per-Capita Medical Radiation Exposure Down in United States
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2006 to 2016, there was a decrease in per-capita exposure to medical radiation in the United States, according to a study published online March 17 in Radiology.
Author Conflicts of Interest May Influence Cannabidiol Conclusions
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Most articles published between 2014 and 2019 discussing the characteristics, use, and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD) are supportive, with supportive conclusions in more studies with CBD-related industry funding, according to a research letter published online March 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Phone App Helps Cut Pain, Aid Functioning With Osteoarthritis
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A physical therapy app that offers a self-managed exercise and education program helps to improve pain and physical function for patients with osteoarthritis, according to a study published online March 4 in PLOS ONE.
Factors ID’d in Quitting Smoking for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Certain factors are tied to an increased likelihood of quitting smoking in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online March 3 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Romosozumab Added to Guideline for Management of Osteoporosis
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In an Endocrine Society guideline update, published online in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, recommendations are presented for the use of romosozumab in the pharmacological management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Asthma, COPD Linked to Higher Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online March 4 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
2018 Health Care Spending Up Due to Higher Prices
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Average employer-sponsored insurance spending rose to $5,892 per person in 2018, according to the Health Care Cost Institute annual Health Care Cost and Utilization Report.
Health Care Cost and Utilization Report
Preventive Care Service May Cut Risk for Recurrent Fractures
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hospitals’ implementation of fracture liaison services (FLS) is associated with a reduced risk for recurrent fracture among older patients, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Female Clinical Chairs Paid Significantly Less Than Men
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There are significant sex differences in salaries of clinical department chairs in public medical schools in the United States, according to a research letter published online March 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Antimalarials May Cut Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Lupus Patients
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to antimalarials may offer a protective effect against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to a study recently published in Arthritis Care & Research.
Racial/Ethnic Insurance Coverage Disparity Down Since ACA
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Since the implementation of coverage expansions associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the disparities in insurance coverage related to race and ethnicity have decreased, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
Considerable Increase Seen in List, Net Prices of Branded Drugs
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2018, there were substantial increases in list and net prices of branded drugs in the United States, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Serum Folate Tied to CV Mortality Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a serum folate level of at least 4.3 ng/mL is associated with lower cardiovascular (CV) mortality risk, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in JAMA Network Open.
1996 to 2016 Saw Increases in U.S. Spending on Health Care
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1996 to 2016, there were considerable increases in U.S. spending on health care, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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