Joel M. Kremer, MD
Pfaff Family Professor of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Director of Research, Center for Rheumatology
Albany, New York, USA
Philip J. Mease, MD
Head, Seattle Rheumatology Associates
Director of Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center
Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
Seattle, Washington, USA
Ronald F. van Vollenhoven, MD
Professor of Therapeutic Medicine
Chief, Unit of Clinical Therapy Research, Inflammatory Diseases
The Karolinska Institute
Stockholm, Sweden
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects more than two million Americans and more than three million Europeans, causing substantial morbidity, debilitation, and loss of productivity. Despite decades of research, no cure exists for the disease. Recent advances in treatment have produced more effective therapies, such as inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and other biologic agents, which can suppress disease activity to low levels and offer the potential of remission for many patients. Improved understanding of the RA disease process has led to recognition that the disease often progresses rapidly, causing radiographically visible joint damage and disability within the first year after diagnosis. Such observations have created a sense of urgency surrounding clinical management of RA, as opposed to the longstanding conceptualization of RA as a benign condition that progresses slowly. With early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, patients with RA can live long and productive lives. However, many patients do not receive appropriate care for RA, and for reasons that are not well understood, some patients do not obtain adequate responses to available therapies. As a result, evaluation of new approaches to the use of existing agents is ongoing, as is the search for more effective treatment and, eventually, a cure. The field of rheumatology has changed dramatically over the past decade, and approaches to therapy continue to evolve. Clinicians are challenged to stay abreast of changes in the field to ensure that patients with RA receive the best care possible. |
Dr Kremer has received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Genentech, Inc., Human Genome Sciences, and Pfi zer Inc. Dr Mease has received honoraria for being a consultant
and/or serving on the speakers bureau for and/or has received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Biogen Idec, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., Cypress Pharmaceutical, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Forest Laboratories, Inc., Genentech, Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Pfi zer Inc., and UCB. Professor van Vollenhoven has received grant/research
support from Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc., and UCB. CHSE committee members have no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests: Carolyn Burns, MD; Dedra DeBerry, MA; Joyce Dunagan, MA, MSLS; Linda H. Freeman, DNS, RN; Paul Fultz; Terri Gipson, MSL;
Ruth Greenberg, PhD; Lucy Juett, MS; Irene Litvan, MD; Loretta Maldaner; Mike Mansfi eld, DMD; Ashlee Melendez, RN, BSN; Lisa J. Pfi tzer, MD; Robert Sexton, MD; Uldis Streips, PhD; Kathy M. Vincent, MD; Lori Wagner, MD; Stephen Wheeler, MD; Sharon Whitmer, EdD. Charles Bankhead, Shirley Jones, Sylvia Reitman, and Michelle Rizzo with the Global Academy for Medical Education have no relevant relationships with any commercial interests. CME Reviewer: Gary L. Crump, MD, FACR, Rheumatology Associates, Louisville, KY, received honoraria for serving on the speakers bureau for Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., Genentech, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, and UCB. Resolution of Conflict of Interest
CHSE has implemented a process to resolve conflict of interest for each CME activity. In order to help ensure content objectivity, independence and fair balance and to ensure that the content is aligned with the interest of the public, CHSE has resolved the conflict by external content review. Unapproved/Off-Label Use Disclosure
CHSE requires CME faculty to disclose to the participants:
- When products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and or investigational (not US Food and Drug Administration [FDA] approved); and
- Any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion.
Faculty may discuss information about pharmaceutical agents that are outside of FDA-approved labeling. This information is intended solely for CME and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. None of the authors discusses off-label uses of any FDA-approved drugs. |
