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Latest Rheumatology Articles on PCE's The Exchange
Sexual Health in Patients With Rheumatic Disease: How to Ask Sensitive Questions in a Clinical Setting
Posted By: 
Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
August 05, 2022
It is not easy to ask our patients about sexual health and functioning. The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2022 meeting held in early June had an interesting abstract on using the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ)-14. This questionnaire was used as a means to assess sexual functioning in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Researchers interviewed 188 patients (RA, PsA, and healthy controls) and measured... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rheumatology
Novel Medication Sequencing for Treatment of Osteoporosis
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
August 02, 2022
For the remainder of 2022, there are no new medications for osteoporosis expected to become available in the US. With more than 10 million Americans older th... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Rheumatic Disease and Long-Haul COVID-19
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
May 27, 2022
Research presented at the most recent American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence in November 2021, details the presence of long-haul COVID-19 symptom... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Rheumatology
Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatic Inflammatory Disease
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
May 24, 2022
It is well documented that those with rheumatic inflammatory diseases have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). That risk may vary by individua... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
Hyperuricemia and Renal Disease
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
April 01, 2022
Gout and renal disease exist with a bidirectional relationship: gout can cause renal disease and renal disease can cause gout. Numerous studies have found th... Continue Reading
Filed under: Curbside Consultations, Rheumatology
Pre-Exposure COVID-19 Prophylaxis in Rheumatology Patients
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
March 29, 2022
On December 8, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for tixagevimab/cilgavimab as pre-exposure prophylaxis o... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Preventive Medicine, Rheumatology
Which Drugs Are Linked to Arthritis Development? Part 2
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
January 28, 2022
As mentioned in my previous posting, there are a number of drugs that may be associated with rheumatologic symptoms and disease. Here I will continue discus... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Which Drugs Are Linked to Arthritis Development? Part 1
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
January 25, 2022
Since the art and science of diagnosing arthritis is not often straightforward, it is always helpful to get additional insights in this area. Here, I'd like... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Air Pollution
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
January 07, 2022
The risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has previously been linked to certain genetic and environmental factors. For example, smoking has been assoc... Continue Reading
Filed under: Public Health, Rheumatology
Rheumatology and Telemedicine: Here to Stay or Passing Pandemic Fad?
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
January 04, 2022
In March 2020, the world changed for many of us. For those of us in healthcare, we found ourselves with new lives and new ways of trying to treat our patient... Continue Reading
Filed under: Practice Management/Career, Rheumatology
Scary Words in Rheumatology
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
November 23, 2021
There are many rheumatology words that are difficult to pronounce, poorly understood, and that can generate fear in both practitioners and patients. As such,... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthropathy—Often Not Recognized and Commonly Misdiagnosed
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
November 05, 2021
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy (nr-axSpA) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease affecting the spine, sacroiliac joints, and hips. Unlike its mor... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
IV Tocilizumab Shortage for Rheumatology Patients: A Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted By: Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C
November 02, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to our daily rheumatology practices: From the initial switch to mostly telemedicine appointments in early 2... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rheumatology
Periprosthetic Fractures: The New Osteoporotic Fragility Epidemic
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
September 07, 2021
Periprosthetic fracture, defined as a post-operative fracture around or near a prosthesis, has become increasingly common. This was shown in a study publishe... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Prime Time for Osteoanabolic Therapy
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
September 03, 2021
We now have fracture risk reduction evidence from 2 separate trials comparing oral bisphosphonates with osteoanabolic medications. These well controlled phas... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Advanced Practice Clinicians in Rheumatology, Part 1
Posted By: 
Jennifer Simpson, DNP
August 27, 2021
I have been practicing as an NP in rheumatology for 7 years and I love it. I got lucky, really: A recruiter reached out to a fellow student who was not inter... Continue Reading
Filed under: NPs & PAs, Practice Management/Career, Rheumatology
Two Low-tech, High-value Methods for Reducing Knee Pain in Your Patients With Arthritis
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
May 28, 2021
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions treated in this country. According to NIH statistics, in 2005 there were... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Understanding Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 12, 2021
Color changes in patients' fingertips during cold weather can be confusing. It is important to distinguish Raynaud's phenomenon, as it can be associated with... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
Not so FAST! Febuxostat vs Allopurinol Showing Equal Safety – Results of the FAST Trial in Europe
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 09, 2021
Optimal management of gout requires urate-lowering therapy; two commonly prescribed therapies for this are febuxostat and allopurinol. However, since 2018, t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Cardiometabolic, Rheumatology
Can Leading a Healthy Lifestyle Change the Likelihood of Developing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
December 31, 2020
An abstract presented at this year's American College of Rheumatology (ACR) conference asked whether the likelihood of being diagnosed with systemic lupus er... Continue Reading
Filed under: Preventive Medicine, Rheumatology
Gastric Bypass or Joint Replacement: Which Is the Better Option for Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
December 28, 2020
In November 2020, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) hosted a virtual poster presentation. Abstract 1651, "Knee OA outcomes in patients with severe o... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
ACR Recommendations for Adult Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Context of COVID-19
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
October 09, 2020
Since COVID-19 will continue to be with us for some time, patients on disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may discontinue therapy on their own due... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology
Synovial Biopsy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Next Big Thing?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
October 06, 2020
Synovial fluid aspirates, biomarkers in blood, serologic testing, radiography, and ultrasonography have all been used to assist in the diagnosis and manageme... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Uses of Anti-CCP in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
July 07, 2020
A young woman presents for evaluation of joint pain in both wrists and hands and swelling of one knee. Her history and physical exam suggest rheumatoid arthr... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
2020 ACR Gout Guidelines for Allopurinol Have Changed!
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
July 02, 2020
Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis in both men and women in the United States. Allopurinol is commonly used to manage hyperuricemia in it... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Do Traumatic Fractures Relate to Osteoporosis? Is a Paradigm Shift Coming?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
May 01, 2020
A new study by Leslie and colleagues evaluating high and low trauma fractures may change our thought process regarding how traumatic fractures pertain to ris... Continue Reading
Filed under: Orthopedics, Rheumatology
Raynaud’s Phenomenon: A Common Sense Approach to Diagnosis and Management
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
December 27, 2019
Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is all too common in New England during the colder months of the year. In October, we often see patients return who ha... Continue Reading
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rheumatology
Hydroxychloroquine Monitoring: A Common Drug Seen in Primary Care
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
October 25, 2019
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) has been a staple for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), and discoid lupus for many decade... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Medical Marijuana, Fibromyalgia, and PTSD
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
August 23, 2019
Have you made up your mind about the use of medical marijuana in your practice? I haven't yet, but writing this posting has improved my knowledge of its use.... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Lyme Arthritis—From High Index of Suspicion to Diagnosis and Treatment
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
August 20, 2019
An effusion of the knee(s) is the most common manifestation of Lyme arthritis, a late stage of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the tick involve... Continue Reading
Filed under: Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology
How Do Drug Pricing Systems Work? If There Is More Competition, Shouldn’t the List Price Go Down?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
June 22, 2019
Have you ever noticed how much more expensive drug prices become every year? I think we have all noticed this increase, so this week I decided to look in to... Continue Reading
Filed under: Health Policy and Trends, Rheumatology
What is the Best Treatment for Painful Osteoporotic Compression Fractures of the Spine?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
April 19, 2019
Pop quiz: What is the best method of treatment for osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine? Nonsurgical treatment (NST) Balloon kyphop... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
A View of Rheumatology From 31 Years And 30,000 Feet
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
April 16, 2019
The last 31 years of my PA career has been in the subspecialty of rheumatology. As I reflect on the changes in the field, I have become aware of the incredib... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Expanding JAK Inhibitor Market for RA on the Horizon in 2019: “Which One Is the Best?”
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
March 22, 2019
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments continue to improve outcomes in the latest clinical trials. At the 2018 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting t... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
CARES Study Prompts FDA Boxed Warning on Febuxostat
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
March 19, 2019
On February 21, 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a boxed warning on febuxostat. This was a result of the CARES study published in the Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
How Do You Make a Diagnosis of Gout Without Seeing MSU Crystals Under a Microscope?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 22, 2019
Primary care/urgent care/emergency rooms are all settings where acute monoarthritis is seen. The differential diagnosis includes acute crystal arthritis (gou... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology
Is Long-term Survival Associated With the Use of Nitrogen-containing Bisphosphonates?
Posted By: Richard S. Pope, PA-C, MPAS
February 20, 2019
In the January issue of Osteoporosis International, there was an article entitled, “Mortality Risk Reduction Differs According to Bisphosphonate C... Continue Reading
Filed under: Rheumatology