ACR Annual Meeting 2018

A new study that validates the use of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State as a treatment outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus clinical trials is one of the highly-rated abstracts that will be presented in the third Plenary Session at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The prospective, multicenter validation study, to be presented by Vera Golder, MBBS, of Monash University in Melbourne, builds on the results of previously reported studies using the Lupus Low Disease Activity State as a treatment target at EULAR this year and at last year’s International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Among other presentations in the session will be the results of the PEXIVAS trial. Peter A. Merkel, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, will present findings from the randomized trial assessing oral glucocorticoid use and plasma exchange in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. The results have been highly anticipated as being among several research efforts to support reduction of corticosteroids in these patients.

In addition, attendees will hear results of a phase 3 study of apremilast for the treatment of oral ulcers in patients with Behçet’s syndrome. In the study, presented by Gulen Hatemi, MD, of Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, benefits of the drug were sustained for 28 weeks. Findings from a phase 2 study were reported in 2015.

A new study that validates the use of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State as a treatment outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus clinical trials is one of the highly-rated abstracts that will be presented in the third Plenary Session at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The prospective, multicenter validation study, to be presented by Vera Golder, MBBS, of Monash University in Melbourne, builds on the results of previously reported studies using the Lupus Low Disease Activity State as a treatment target at EULAR this year and at last year’s International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Among other presentations in the session will be the results of the PEXIVAS trial. Peter A. Merkel, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, will present findings from the randomized trial assessing oral glucocorticoid use and plasma exchange in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. The results have been highly anticipated as being among several research efforts to support reduction of corticosteroids in these patients.

In addition, attendees will hear results of a phase 3 study of apremilast for the treatment of oral ulcers in patients with Behçet’s syndrome. In the study, presented by Gulen Hatemi, MD, of Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, benefits of the drug were sustained for 28 weeks. Findings from a phase 2 study were reported in 2015.

A new study that validates the use of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State as a treatment outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus clinical trials is one of the highly-rated abstracts that will be presented in the third Plenary Session at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The prospective, multicenter validation study, to be presented by Vera Golder, MBBS, of Monash University in Melbourne, builds on the results of previously reported studies using the Lupus Low Disease Activity State as a treatment target at EULAR this year and at last year’s International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Among other presentations in the session will be the results of the PEXIVAS trial. Peter A. Merkel, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, will present findings from the randomized trial assessing oral glucocorticoid use and plasma exchange in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. The results have been highly anticipated as being among several research efforts to support reduction of corticosteroids in these patients.

In addition, attendees will hear results of a phase 3 study of apremilast for the treatment of oral ulcers in patients with Behçet’s syndrome. In the study, presented by Gulen Hatemi, MD, of Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, benefits of the drug were sustained for 28 weeks. Findings from a phase 2 study were reported in 2015.

A 5-year follow-up study comparing methods of meniscal tear management in patients with osteoarthritis kicks off the second Plenary Session on Monday, Oct. 22, at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and his colleagues conducted a long-term follow-up of patients from the METEOR study, the early results of which were presented at OARSI in 2017. Dr. Katz and his colleagues randomized patients with knee pain, meniscal tears, and OA changes on x-ray or MRI to physical therapy vs. physical therapy plus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. After 5 years, pain relief was similar across treatment groups, supporting the short-term conclusion that these patients experience relief over time, irrespective of initial treatment. Overall, 25% of the patients had total knee replacement surgery during the follow-up period.

The session also includes a new presentation by Kenneth G. Saag, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham of 2-year outcomes from a phase 3 trial of denosumab versus risedronate for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis that was first presented at EULAR this year.

At 2 years, denosumab proved superior for increasing spine and hip bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients, compared with risedronate, and demonstrated a similar safety profile.

In addition, attendees will hear updated long-term results from the SCOT trial of myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for scleroderma patients. Keith M. Sullivan, MD, of Duke University, Durham, N.C., and his colleagues found that the benefits of the treatment endured after 6-11 years, supporting results presented at ACR 2016.

A 5-year follow-up study comparing methods of meniscal tear management in patients with osteoarthritis kicks off the second Plenary Session on Monday, Oct. 22, at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and his colleagues conducted a long-term follow-up of patients from the METEOR study, the early results of which were presented at OARSI in 2017. Dr. Katz and his colleagues randomized patients with knee pain, meniscal tears, and OA changes on x-ray or MRI to physical therapy vs. physical therapy plus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. After 5 years, pain relief was similar across treatment groups, supporting the short-term conclusion that these patients experience relief over time, irrespective of initial treatment. Overall, 25% of the patients had total knee replacement surgery during the follow-up period.

The session also includes a new presentation by Kenneth G. Saag, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham of 2-year outcomes from a phase 3 trial of denosumab versus risedronate for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis that was first presented at EULAR this year.

At 2 years, denosumab proved superior for increasing spine and hip bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients, compared with risedronate, and demonstrated a similar safety profile.

In addition, attendees will hear updated long-term results from the SCOT trial of myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for scleroderma patients. Keith M. Sullivan, MD, of Duke University, Durham, N.C., and his colleagues found that the benefits of the treatment endured after 6-11 years, supporting results presented at ACR 2016.

A 5-year follow-up study comparing methods of meniscal tear management in patients with osteoarthritis kicks off the second Plenary Session on Monday, Oct. 22, at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and his colleagues conducted a long-term follow-up of patients from the METEOR study, the early results of which were presented at OARSI in 2017. Dr. Katz and his colleagues randomized patients with knee pain, meniscal tears, and OA changes on x-ray or MRI to physical therapy vs. physical therapy plus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. After 5 years, pain relief was similar across treatment groups, supporting the short-term conclusion that these patients experience relief over time, irrespective of initial treatment. Overall, 25% of the patients had total knee replacement surgery during the follow-up period.

The session also includes a new presentation by Kenneth G. Saag, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham of 2-year outcomes from a phase 3 trial of denosumab versus risedronate for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis that was first presented at EULAR this year.

At 2 years, denosumab proved superior for increasing spine and hip bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients, compared with risedronate, and demonstrated a similar safety profile.

In addition, attendees will hear updated long-term results from the SCOT trial of myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for scleroderma patients. Keith M. Sullivan, MD, of Duke University, Durham, N.C., and his colleagues found that the benefits of the treatment endured after 6-11 years, supporting results presented at ACR 2016.

MACRA! MIPS! APMs! Confused? You won’t be after a Sunday morning session at this year’s annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Zachary S. Wallace, MD, of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, moderates a panel that will answer your questions about the state of the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The session will review the updates made to the QPP for 2019 and let attendees know what tools are available to help them maximize payments under each of the tracks. The session also will provide an update on the physician-focused alternative payment model (APM) for rheumatoid arthritis that has been developed by the ACR and submitted to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee for review. Read in depth here about the details of the ACR’s physician-focused APM as it was presented at last year’s annual meeting.

And if you don’t like what you hear about these programs, attendees will provide information on how to provide feedback to the agency to let your voice be heard when the QPP comes up for its annual update.

Sustain Your Practice: 2018 Medicare Update on MACRA and APMs

Sunday, Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

[email protected]


 

MACRA! MIPS! APMs! Confused? You won’t be after a Sunday morning session at this year’s annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Zachary S. Wallace, MD, of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, moderates a panel that will answer your questions about the state of the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The session will review the updates made to the QPP for 2019 and let attendees know what tools are available to help them maximize payments under each of the tracks. The session also will provide an update on the physician-focused alternative payment model (APM) for rheumatoid arthritis that has been developed by the ACR and submitted to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee for review. Read in depth here about the details of the ACR’s physician-focused APM as it was presented at last year’s annual meeting.

And if you don’t like what you hear about these programs, attendees will provide information on how to provide feedback to the agency to let your voice be heard when the QPP comes up for its annual update.

Sustain Your Practice: 2018 Medicare Update on MACRA and APMs

Sunday, Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

[email protected]


 

MACRA! MIPS! APMs! Confused? You won’t be after a Sunday morning session at this year’s annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Zachary S. Wallace, MD, of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, moderates a panel that will answer your questions about the state of the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The session will review the updates made to the QPP for 2019 and let attendees know what tools are available to help them maximize payments under each of the tracks. The session also will provide an update on the physician-focused alternative payment model (APM) for rheumatoid arthritis that has been developed by the ACR and submitted to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee for review. Read in depth here about the details of the ACR’s physician-focused APM as it was presented at last year’s annual meeting.

And if you don’t like what you hear about these programs, attendees will provide information on how to provide feedback to the agency to let your voice be heard when the QPP comes up for its annual update.

Sustain Your Practice: 2018 Medicare Update on MACRA and APMs

Sunday, Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

[email protected]