Video

MAUI, HAWAII– Discontinuing medications when rheumatoid arthritis patients are doing well is a hot topic in rheumatology lately, but it’s tricky.

The idea is to give patients a break from the costs and side effects of steroids, methotrexate, and biologics. Whether or not doing so is a good idea has a lot to do with how you define remission, and the odds of recapturing patients if they flare.

Advice from Dr. Roy Fleischmann, a clinical professor of rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, might help. At the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, he shared his know-how about tapering and discontinuing treatments, culled from his professional experience and the literature on the subject in a video interview.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII– Discontinuing medications when rheumatoid arthritis patients are doing well is a hot topic in rheumatology lately, but it’s tricky.

The idea is to give patients a break from the costs and side effects of steroids, methotrexate, and biologics. Whether or not doing so is a good idea has a lot to do with how you define remission, and the odds of recapturing patients if they flare.

Advice from Dr. Roy Fleischmann, a clinical professor of rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, might help. At the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, he shared his know-how about tapering and discontinuing treatments, culled from his professional experience and the literature on the subject in a video interview.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII– Discontinuing medications when rheumatoid arthritis patients are doing well is a hot topic in rheumatology lately, but it’s tricky.

The idea is to give patients a break from the costs and side effects of steroids, methotrexate, and biologics. Whether or not doing so is a good idea has a lot to do with how you define remission, and the odds of recapturing patients if they flare.

Advice from Dr. Roy Fleischmann, a clinical professor of rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, might help. At the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, he shared his know-how about tapering and discontinuing treatments, culled from his professional experience and the literature on the subject in a video interview.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII – Two homeopathic injectables, as well as the familiar combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, showed promise in two studies of alternative treatments for osteoarthritis.

In an interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. Martin J. Bergman, of the department of rheumatology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, shared the recent results from the two investigations.

The first pitted intra-articular injections of two homeopathic products, Traumeel and Zeel, against placebo saline injections for knee osteoarthritis; the work was sponsored by the products’ German maker, Biologische Heilmittel Heel.

In the second trial, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate went head to head against celecoxib (Celebrex), also for knee OA. The work was sponsored by Bioibérica, a Spanish company that makes chondroitin and glucosamine, and the investigators reported financial ties to the company.

Traumeel and Zeel may sound exotic, but they aren’t unknown in the rheumatology world – some U.S. rheumatologists are using them, Dr. Bergman, also chief of rheumatology at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pa., said.

Dr. Bergman disclosed that he has served as an advisor, speaker, or consultant for AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, and Roche, and holds shares in Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII – Two homeopathic injectables, as well as the familiar combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, showed promise in two studies of alternative treatments for osteoarthritis.

In an interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. Martin J. Bergman, of the department of rheumatology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, shared the recent results from the two investigations.

The first pitted intra-articular injections of two homeopathic products, Traumeel and Zeel, against placebo saline injections for knee osteoarthritis; the work was sponsored by the products’ German maker, Biologische Heilmittel Heel.

In the second trial, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate went head to head against celecoxib (Celebrex), also for knee OA. The work was sponsored by Bioibérica, a Spanish company that makes chondroitin and glucosamine, and the investigators reported financial ties to the company.

Traumeel and Zeel may sound exotic, but they aren’t unknown in the rheumatology world – some U.S. rheumatologists are using them, Dr. Bergman, also chief of rheumatology at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pa., said.

Dr. Bergman disclosed that he has served as an advisor, speaker, or consultant for AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, and Roche, and holds shares in Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII – Two homeopathic injectables, as well as the familiar combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, showed promise in two studies of alternative treatments for osteoarthritis.

In an interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. Martin J. Bergman, of the department of rheumatology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, shared the recent results from the two investigations.

The first pitted intra-articular injections of two homeopathic products, Traumeel and Zeel, against placebo saline injections for knee osteoarthritis; the work was sponsored by the products’ German maker, Biologische Heilmittel Heel.

In the second trial, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate went head to head against celecoxib (Celebrex), also for knee OA. The work was sponsored by Bioibérica, a Spanish company that makes chondroitin and glucosamine, and the investigators reported financial ties to the company.

Traumeel and Zeel may sound exotic, but they aren’t unknown in the rheumatology world – some U.S. rheumatologists are using them, Dr. Bergman, also chief of rheumatology at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pa., said.

Dr. Bergman disclosed that he has served as an advisor, speaker, or consultant for AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, and Roche, and holds shares in Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII – There’s been fairly brisk uptake of biosimilar infliximab in Europe, both for new patients and as a possible switch from Remicade.

That biosimilar infliximab, Remsima, was submitted for U.S. approval in 2014, and a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recently recommended approval of a biosimilar for filgrastim (Neupogen).

The agents are in the vanguard of what is sure to be an expanding market in the United States as biologics come off patent. Additional infliximab replacements are in the works, as well as biosimilars for etanercept, adalimumab, rituximab, and others.

For rheumatologists, that could mean less expensive treatments for patients, but it’s also likely to make treatment more complicated. Given the complexity of the molecules, the differences between biosimilars and familiar brands could be a bit more marked than those between small-molecule generics and their branded counterparts.

In a video interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. Arthur F. Kavanaugh, a rheumatology professor at the University of California, San Diego, outlined the latest developments and shared his thoughts on the rapidly evolving field.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com


MAUI, HAWAII – There’s been fairly brisk uptake of biosimilar infliximab in Europe, both for new patients and as a possible switch from Remicade.

That biosimilar infliximab, Remsima, was submitted for U.S. approval in 2014, and a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recently recommended approval of a biosimilar for filgrastim (Neupogen).

The agents are in the vanguard of what is sure to be an expanding market in the United States as biologics come off patent. Additional infliximab replacements are in the works, as well as biosimilars for etanercept, adalimumab, rituximab, and others.

For rheumatologists, that could mean less expensive treatments for patients, but it’s also likely to make treatment more complicated. Given the complexity of the molecules, the differences between biosimilars and familiar brands could be a bit more marked than those between small-molecule generics and their branded counterparts.

In a video interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. Arthur F. Kavanaugh, a rheumatology professor at the University of California, San Diego, outlined the latest developments and shared his thoughts on the rapidly evolving field.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com


MAUI, HAWAII – There’s been fairly brisk uptake of biosimilar infliximab in Europe, both for new patients and as a possible switch from Remicade.

That biosimilar infliximab, Remsima, was submitted for U.S. approval in 2014, and a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recently recommended approval of a biosimilar for filgrastim (Neupogen).

The agents are in the vanguard of what is sure to be an expanding market in the United States as biologics come off patent. Additional infliximab replacements are in the works, as well as biosimilars for etanercept, adalimumab, rituximab, and others.

For rheumatologists, that could mean less expensive treatments for patients, but it’s also likely to make treatment more complicated. Given the complexity of the molecules, the differences between biosimilars and familiar brands could be a bit more marked than those between small-molecule generics and their branded counterparts.

In a video interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. Arthur F. Kavanaugh, a rheumatology professor at the University of California, San Diego, outlined the latest developments and shared his thoughts on the rapidly evolving field.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com


MAUI, HAWAII – Though costly, newer biologics increase 1-year survival with metastatic melanoma from perhaps 40% to more than 70%.

Among the latest are nivolumab and pembrolizumab, antibodies against PD-1 (programmed cell death) cell surface receptors that were approved in 2014 for unresectable melanoma no longer responding to other drugs; another anti-PD-1 is in development.

In this video interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. George Martin of the Dermatology and Laser Center of Maui explains the latest developments and shares his excitement about them.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII – Though costly, newer biologics increase 1-year survival with metastatic melanoma from perhaps 40% to more than 70%.

Among the latest are nivolumab and pembrolizumab, antibodies against PD-1 (programmed cell death) cell surface receptors that were approved in 2014 for unresectable melanoma no longer responding to other drugs; another anti-PD-1 is in development.

In this video interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. George Martin of the Dermatology and Laser Center of Maui explains the latest developments and shares his excitement about them.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

MAUI, HAWAII – Though costly, newer biologics increase 1-year survival with metastatic melanoma from perhaps 40% to more than 70%.

Among the latest are nivolumab and pembrolizumab, antibodies against PD-1 (programmed cell death) cell surface receptors that were approved in 2014 for unresectable melanoma no longer responding to other drugs; another anti-PD-1 is in development.

In this video interview at the 2015 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, Dr. George Martin of the Dermatology and Laser Center of Maui explains the latest developments and shares his excitement about them.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

Is it all or nothing when it comes to quitting smoking?

For many smokers, there may be another approach: A new study showed that a 24-week course of varenicline boosted quit rates among smokers who preferred to gradually reduce their cigarette use (JAMA 2015;313:687-94). That behavioral health reduction strategy may offer 14 million smokers an alternative route to quitting, noted study author Dr. Jon O. Ebbert of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

In a video interview, Dr. Ebbert discusses the strategy and its benefits.

Dr. Ebbert reported receiving grants from Pfizer, JHP Pharmaceuticals, and Orexigen, as well as personal fees from GlaxoSmithKline.

trudd@frontlinemedcom.com

Is it all or nothing when it comes to quitting smoking?

For many smokers, there may be another approach: A new study showed that a 24-week course of varenicline boosted quit rates among smokers who preferred to gradually reduce their cigarette use (JAMA 2015;313:687-94). That behavioral health reduction strategy may offer 14 million smokers an alternative route to quitting, noted study author Dr. Jon O. Ebbert of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

In a video interview, Dr. Ebbert discusses the strategy and its benefits.

Dr. Ebbert reported receiving grants from Pfizer, JHP Pharmaceuticals, and Orexigen, as well as personal fees from GlaxoSmithKline.

trudd@frontlinemedcom.com

Is it all or nothing when it comes to quitting smoking?

For many smokers, there may be another approach: A new study showed that a 24-week course of varenicline boosted quit rates among smokers who preferred to gradually reduce their cigarette use (JAMA 2015;313:687-94). That behavioral health reduction strategy may offer 14 million smokers an alternative route to quitting, noted study author Dr. Jon O. Ebbert of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

In a video interview, Dr. Ebbert discusses the strategy and its benefits.

Dr. Ebbert reported receiving grants from Pfizer, JHP Pharmaceuticals, and Orexigen, as well as personal fees from GlaxoSmithKline.

trudd@frontlinemedcom.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. – Screening for intimate partner and sexual violence occurs sporadically in trauma centers, typically among women and when there is a suspicious mechanism of injury.

In hopes of reaching a broader population, investigators at the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami conducted a prospective pilot study to determine the feasibility of universal screening for intimate partner and sexual violence in all patients presenting at the level I trauma center.

In all, 399 consecutive patients were eligible, with 40% screened using a four-item questionnaire that asks patients how often their partner physically hurt, insulted, threatened with harm, and screamed at them (HITS) and the SAVE (screen, ask, validate, evaluate) method developed in Florida to screen for sexual violence. Both instruments were available in English, Spanish, and Haitian French.

Over a 4-month period, 14% of patients scored positive for physical and psychological abuse – and even more surprising, 8% scored positive for sexual violence, lead study author Dr. Tanya Zakrison reported at the annual scientific assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST).

“Interestingly, there was no significant difference between men and women. They were all scoring at an equal rate,” Dr. Zakrison said. Patients who scored positive on HITS or SAVE were also found across all ethnicities and all age groups.

“The last thing that was quite surprising for us to find was that only 14% of patients who were HITS positive were actually admitted as a result of intimate partner or interpersonal violence, and none of the patients who scored positive for SAVE were admitted to trauma because of this,” she added. “Again, they’re coming in for the motor vehicle collisions, falls from standing, or other mechanisms of injury.”

To learn more about the intervention and its impact at Ryder Trauma, watch our video interview.

Dr. Zakrison and her coauthors reported no relevant financial conflicts.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. – Screening for intimate partner and sexual violence occurs sporadically in trauma centers, typically among women and when there is a suspicious mechanism of injury.

In hopes of reaching a broader population, investigators at the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami conducted a prospective pilot study to determine the feasibility of universal screening for intimate partner and sexual violence in all patients presenting at the level I trauma center.

In all, 399 consecutive patients were eligible, with 40% screened using a four-item questionnaire that asks patients how often their partner physically hurt, insulted, threatened with harm, and screamed at them (HITS) and the SAVE (screen, ask, validate, evaluate) method developed in Florida to screen for sexual violence. Both instruments were available in English, Spanish, and Haitian French.

Over a 4-month period, 14% of patients scored positive for physical and psychological abuse – and even more surprising, 8% scored positive for sexual violence, lead study author Dr. Tanya Zakrison reported at the annual scientific assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST).

“Interestingly, there was no significant difference between men and women. They were all scoring at an equal rate,” Dr. Zakrison said. Patients who scored positive on HITS or SAVE were also found across all ethnicities and all age groups.

“The last thing that was quite surprising for us to find was that only 14% of patients who were HITS positive were actually admitted as a result of intimate partner or interpersonal violence, and none of the patients who scored positive for SAVE were admitted to trauma because of this,” she added. “Again, they’re coming in for the motor vehicle collisions, falls from standing, or other mechanisms of injury.”

To learn more about the intervention and its impact at Ryder Trauma, watch our video interview.

Dr. Zakrison and her coauthors reported no relevant financial conflicts.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. – Screening for intimate partner and sexual violence occurs sporadically in trauma centers, typically among women and when there is a suspicious mechanism of injury.

In hopes of reaching a broader population, investigators at the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami conducted a prospective pilot study to determine the feasibility of universal screening for intimate partner and sexual violence in all patients presenting at the level I trauma center.

In all, 399 consecutive patients were eligible, with 40% screened using a four-item questionnaire that asks patients how often their partner physically hurt, insulted, threatened with harm, and screamed at them (HITS) and the SAVE (screen, ask, validate, evaluate) method developed in Florida to screen for sexual violence. Both instruments were available in English, Spanish, and Haitian French.

Over a 4-month period, 14% of patients scored positive for physical and psychological abuse – and even more surprising, 8% scored positive for sexual violence, lead study author Dr. Tanya Zakrison reported at the annual scientific assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST).

“Interestingly, there was no significant difference between men and women. They were all scoring at an equal rate,” Dr. Zakrison said. Patients who scored positive on HITS or SAVE were also found across all ethnicities and all age groups.

“The last thing that was quite surprising for us to find was that only 14% of patients who were HITS positive were actually admitted as a result of intimate partner or interpersonal violence, and none of the patients who scored positive for SAVE were admitted to trauma because of this,” she added. “Again, they’re coming in for the motor vehicle collisions, falls from standing, or other mechanisms of injury.”

To learn more about the intervention and its impact at Ryder Trauma, watch our video interview.

Dr. Zakrison and her coauthors reported no relevant financial conflicts.