Clinical Updates in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Faculty

Howard Blumstein, MD
Rheumatology Associates of Long Island
Smithtown, New York
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

Allan Gibofsky, MD, JD
Professor of Medicine, Health Policy and Research
Weill Cornell Medical School
Adjunct Professor of Law
Fordham University School of Law
Co-Director, Clinic for Inflammatory Arthritis
New York Presbyterian Hospital and Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, New York

Jonathan Kay, MD
Timothy S. & Elaine L. Peterson Chair in Rheumatology & Professor of Medicine
Director, Rheumatology Clinical Research
University of Massachusetts Medical School & UMass Memorial Medical Center
Worcester, Massachusetts

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of rheumatologists and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and ongoing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Statement of Need/Program Overview

RA is a relatively common autoimmune disease that without aggressive management, can cause both articular and extra-articular manifestations throughout the body.^1,2 Increased understanding of RA pathophysiology has led to new treatment paradigms and a multitude of new therapies, many of them biologic medications.^3,4 Current clinical practice guidelines on RA management include evidence-based algorithms that aim to get all patients with RA to remission, or at least very low disease activity.^3,4 During this Clinical Research Updates™ program, a panel of expert rheumatologists reviews the practical implications of treat-to-target strategies for patients with RA, and the appropriate use of biologics specific for targets other than tumor necrosis factor α (ie, non-TNF biologics). The faculty panel also discusses the emerging class of biosimiliars, including the position statement from the American College of Rheumatology on the potential roles and pitfalls of biosimilars as RA therapies.⁵

References

1. Cojocaru M, et al. Extra-articular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis. Maedica (Buchar).2010;5(4):286-291
2. Choy E. Understanding the dynamics: pathways involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2012;51(suppl 5):v3-v11.
3. Singh JA, et al. 2015 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016;68(1):1-26
4. Smolen JS, et al. Treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: 2014 update of the recommendations of an international task force. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016;75(1):3-15
5. American College of Rheumatology. Position statement: biosimilars. Released April 2016. http://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/Biosimilars-Position-Statement.pdf

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant will be better able to: 

• Integrate the latest published evidence and sequencing recommendations for non-TNF biologics into daily RA management decision
• Discuss the development and potential challenges of biosimilar medications as RA therapies
• Individualize treatment regimens for moderate-to-severe RA based on repeated assessment of disease activity, treatment response, patient-specific risks, comorbidities, and the clinical profiles of non-TNF biologic

Physician Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Global Education Group designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Global Contact Information

For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or
inquire@globaleducationgroup.com

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must score 70% or better on the posttest and complete the program evaluation.

System Requirements

PC
Microsoft Windows 2000 SE or above.
Flash Player Plugin (v7.0.1.9 or greater)

MAC
MAC OS 10.2.8
Flash Player Plugin (v7.0.1.9 or greater)
Internet Explorer is not supported on the Macintosh.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Global Education Group (Global) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals and their spouses/life partners who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity: 

Howard Blumstein, MD Nothing to disclose

Allan Gibofsky, MD, JD Consultant/Independent Contractor: AbbVieInc.; Amgen Inc.; Celgene Corporation; Horizon Pharma plc; Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC; Pfizer Inc.; Sandoz Inc.; Relburn-Metabolomics, Inc.; Samumed, LLC. Honoraria: AbbVie Inc. Speakers Bureau:AbbVie Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Celgene Corporation; Pfizer Inc. Spouse/Partner Shareholder: AbbVie Inc.; Amgen Inc.; Johnson & Johnson.

Jonathan Kay, MD Research Support: AbbVie Inc.; Genentech. Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; Roche Laboratories, Inc.; UCB,Inc.Consultant: AbbVie Inc.; Amgen Inc.; AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Epirus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Hospira Inc.; Janssen Biotech, Inc.; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; Pfizer Inc.; Roche Laboratories, Inc.; Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd.; Sandoz Inc.; UCB, Inc.

The following planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Amanda Glazar, PhD      Nothing to disclose
Andrea Funk      Nothing to disclose
Laura Gilsdorf      Nothing to disclose
Jim Kappler, PhD      Nothing to disclose
Rose O’Connor, PhD      Nothing to disclose

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.  

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.