November 10-15

The official news source of

ACR Convergence 2023

San Diego, CA

  • Experts review fundamentals of modeling categorical data at Stats Bootcamp II

    Experts review fundamentals of modeling categorical data at Stats Bootcamp II

    In the second of three sessions dedicated to better understanding how to use research statistics, Becki Cleveland, PhD, and Todd Schwartz, PhD, presented an overview of methods for modeling categorical variables rheumatologic researchers may encounter, which can greatly affect the impact and validity of one’s data.

  • FDA gives update on pediatric drug shortages and approvals

    FDA gives update on pediatric drug shortages and approvals

    In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of new agents for pediatric lupus nephritis, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, and enthesitis-related arthritis. Amit Golding, MD, PhD, highlighted the approvals of belimumab IV, ustekinumab, and secukinumab, and Cmdr. Hyun Son, PharmD, discussed the FDA’s role when drug shortages occur.

  • Gluck lecturer outlines biomechanical model for OA etiology

    Gluck lecturer outlines biomechanical model for OA etiology

    In the Oscar S. Gluck, MD, Memorial Lecture, Joel Block, MD, described a biomechanistic and loading model of idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA). The conventional model presumes that all OA proceeds from similar processes. Therapeutic strategies involve controlling early inflammation and stabilizing joint structures. That these strategies have been uniformly unsuccessful suggests other factors are at work.

  • Stats Bootcamp I presenters identify tools to analyze the performance of screening and diagnostic tests

    Stats Bootcamp I presenters identify tools to analyze the performance of screening and diagnostic tests

    In the first of three Stats Bootcamp sessions at ACR Convergence, Carolina Alvarez, MS, reviewed how to calculate key measurements in binary and dichotomous testing comparisons. She also analyzed the factors that drive sample size and power considerations in testing.

  • Advances in imaging and therapeutics could improve diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of PMR

    Advances in imaging and therapeutics could improve diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of PMR

    Claire Owen, MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP, CCPU, explained advances in imaging modalities for diagnosing and monitoring polymyalgia rheumatica, and Christian Dejaco, MD, PhD, MBA, discussed new steroid-sparing agents for the treatment of this chronic inflammatory disease.

  • Plenary III highlights emerging insights into knee OA, PMR, APS, gout, JIA, and RA

    Plenary III highlights emerging insights into knee OA, PMR, APS, gout, JIA, and RA

    In the third plenary session at ACR Convergence, Stephen Messier, PhD, discussed a pragmatic randomized trial that demonstrated how intensive diet and exercise can reduce knee pain in knee osteoarthritis in community-based settings as effectively as in academic settings.

  • ARP Keynote speaker reignites passion in practice by redefining success

    ARP Keynote speaker reignites passion in practice by redefining success

    People who work in healthcare are taught to be stoic and objective. At the same time, 60 percent of these professionals report experiencing mental health repercussions from their work. Kathleen Flarity, DNP, PhD, CEN, CFRN, FAEN, FAAN, addressed confronting these challenges.

  • Late-Breaking Abstracts session features innovative research from six timely studies

    Late-Breaking Abstracts session features innovative research from six timely studies

    New discoveries pave the way for possible new approaches to treating patients with autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Research by Giovanni Adami, MD, could support anti-osteoporotic treatments for patients taking low-dose glucocorticoids.

  • Investigators unveil draft of new classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome

    Investigators unveil draft of new classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome

    New classification criteria for APS presented at ACR Convergence 2022 are under review by ACR/EULAR and pending final approval. The highly specific, evidence-based criteria will help identify patients with a high likelihood of APS for clinical research, said Medha Barbhaiya, MD, MPH.

  • ACR drafts inaugural guideline for integrated care for RA

    ACR drafts inaugural guideline for integrated care for RA

    The first ACR guideline for integrated treatment related to rheumatoid arthritis provides direction on physical, psychosocial, mind-body, and nutritional interventions through a shared decision-making approach. Bryant England, MD, PhD, RhMSUS, and other speakers underscored the need for an interprofessional team to effectively treat patients.