An anabolic bone biologic now in a Phase 3 clinical trial has the potential to be a game-changer in osteoporosis therapy, according to Chad Deal, MD, who will present the ACR clinical symposium Osteoporosis Update on Tuesday afternoon.

New classification criteria for Sjögren’s syndrome are moving toward acceptance by both ACR and EULAR, the European League Against Rheumatism. The new criteria will replace both provisional ACR criteria from 2011 and the American-European-Consensus-Group criteria that have been a de facto standard for the past decade.

It may seem like political influence is all about money, but a former U.S. lawmaker says that ACR members can make their voices heard in the legislative process by building personal relationships with elected officials. Tim Hutchinson will outline that approach Tuesday.

As the ACR works on the federal level to address the high costs of specialty drugs, the speaker at Saturday morning’s 2015 Legislative Update made it clear that this is a state issue, as well. California Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, detailed his attempt to pass price-transparency legislation in his home state.

An ARHP clinical symposium this afternoon will provide insight into the use of fun behavioral strategies that patients can use to manage pain related to chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, lupus, and lower back pain.

The pathophysiology of lupus is somewhat less murky than it was at last year’s Annual Meeting. A growing body of research points to genetic variability and epigenetic changes as key factors in the development of lupus. “We believe that a DNA methylation defect in T cells can cause lupus in genetically susceptible individuals,” said Amr…