Release Date:  July 27, 2007
Expiration Date:  July 27, 2008

Program Description

Recent developments in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include the approval of two new biologic agents (abatacept and rituximab), earlier initiation of treatment, and a move toward tight control of therapy with consistent monitoring of disease activity. Data from clinical trials of abatacept and rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis suggest these agents are relatively effective and safe. Other studies suggest that early treatment and tight control have the potential to increase clinical benefits and improve outcomes for a greater percentage of patients. There is still much debate about how to integrate information from clinical trials into clinical practice. Questions remain about how these new agents will be used and their place in the current rheumatoid arthritis armamentarium, which treatment strategies optimize outcomes, and how to implement tight control in the clinical setting. Our panel of rheumatology experts discusses these issues within the context of recent clinical trial results and the implications for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Target Audience

Rheumatologists, nurse practitioners, and nurses interested in learning more about the clinical relevance imaging in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Educational Objectives

• Differentiate between the van der Heijde-modified Sharp, modified Genant, and Larsen scoring systems and describe how they are utilized in measuring joint alterations in RA patients
• Identify 3 different imaging techniques used in assessing RA severity and the benefits and limitations of each
• Evaluate MRI, US, and x-ray data for joint alterations due to RA
• Describe how baseline and periodic imaging of joints are clinically relevant in RA management

Disclaimer

©2007 ArcMesa Educators, LLC / CMEdiscovery.com. All rights reserved. None of the contents may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from ArcMesa Educators, LLC.

The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. They do not reflect the views of Abbott Laboratories, any other manufacturer of pharmaceuticals or ArcMesa Educators, LLC.

The recommendations made in this program are based upon a combination of randomized clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating panelists. Any medications, diagnostic procedures or treatments discussed by the panelists should not be utilized without evaluation of their patient's conditions. Participants are urged to consult the full prescribing information on any drug mentioned in this activity for recommended dosage, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse effects before prescribing any medication

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