NYSRS Meeting & Events – May 31
New York State Rheumatology Society Annual Meeting
May 31, 2008
Michelangelo Hotel
152 West 51st Street between 6th and 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Tel. 212-765-1900
This year the state society meeting has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine and Miller Professional Group, Inc. VCU is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
There will be three scientific mini-symposia presented in conjunction with the state society meeting CME credits will be available to all attendees participating in these programs. The CME symposia are entitled: “Disease Activity Measurement”, “The Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis”, and “The Prevention and Management of Infections in Patients Receiving TNF Inhibitors”. The latter section of the meeting is designated for CME Credit by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (see below). A total of 4.5 AMA PRA Category1 Credits ™ may be earned through participation in the 3 mini-symposia.
Following these scientific presentations, the NYSRS will conduct its annual meeting. During this meeting, there will be presentations by representatives of The American College of Rheumatology and New York Wellpoint.
Meeting Agenda
| Registration and Buffet Breakfast | 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM |
| Opening Remarks – Max Hamburger, MD President NYRS |
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM |
| The Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis Evan Siegel MD |
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Disease Activity Measurement Max Hamburger MD |
10:00AM – 11:15 AM |
| Morning Break | 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM |
| The Prevention and Management of Infections in Patients Receiving TNF Inhibitors* Introduction and Overview |
11:30 AM – 11:35 AM |
| Managing Common and Non-Serious Infections in Patients Receiving TNF Inhibitors Kathryn H. Dao MD |
11:35 AM – 11:55AM |
| Are Bacterial Infections Increased in Patients Receiving TNF Inhibitors? Speaker TBA |
11:55AM – 12:15 PM |
| Screening, Prevention, and Management of Mycobacterial Infections When Using TNF Inhibitors Speaker Leonard H. Calabrese, DO |
12:15 PM – 12:35 PM |
| Avoiding and Treating Serious Infections in Patients on TNF Inhibitors John J. Cush MD |
12:35 PM – 12:55 PM |
| Evidence Based Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Infections in Patients Receiving TNF Inhibitors: Results of an Expert Consensus Panel 2006 John J. Cush MD |
12:55 PM – 1:05 PM |
| Panel Discussion and Audience Question and Answer Session | 1:05 PM – 1:30 PM |
| Update on Medicare Advantage Program Clifford Omstrom Director of Provider Relations Wellpoint |
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM |
| Update on ACR Activities Jane Salmon MD |
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM |
| NYSRS Annual Meeting | 3:00 PM – Closing |
| *A plated lunch will be served during the mini-symposium. |
Symposia Descriptions
The Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis
Joint Sponsors
Virginia Commonwealth University and Miller Professional Group, Inc.
Program Description and Statement of Needs
“Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis” is an educational program designed to provide a comprehensive update about the current concepts of the pathophysiology, diagnosis of, and current treatment innovations for, the management of psoriatic arthritis. Participants enrolled in the program have the opportunity to earn 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for attending the live meeting and completing a post presentation outcomes measure.
Needs Assessment
Expert Consensus: Conducted during meetings of rheumatologists held in March 2006, November 2006, March 2007, August 2007, and January 2008 engaged in the development of CME curricula.
Rheumatologists, including those recognized as key opinion leaders and who have committed to continuing medical education programs for rheumatologists, community physicians, and physician extenders served as the target for the needs assessment surveys. The resultant needs assessments indicated that there is a need for rheumatologists, physician extenders who practice in rheumatology offices, and dermatologists to receive a comprehensive update about the current concepts of the patho-physiology, diagnosis of, and current treatment innovations for, the management of psoriatic arthritis. The survey also indicated that the development and implementation of a community level educational program utilizing specially trained rheumatologists to (1) create the curriculum and then, (2) to teach rheumatologists and dermatologists, and physician extenders; is perceived as having the highest priority. The surveys conducted during these meetings included written surveys and a verbal discussion that was recorded and transcribed.
Learning Objectives
Upon concluding participation in the educational activity “The Diagnosis and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis”, attendees will have an improved ability to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of psoriatic arthritis
- Describe and implement the differential diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, and describe and demonstrate an ability to utilize applicable diagnostic tools with a goal of improved patient care of patients with psoriatic arthritis
- Describe current and innovative treatment approaches and approaches toward outcomes assessment for psoriatic arthritis with a goal of improved patient care of patients with psoriatic arthritis
Accreditation
VCU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
Credit Designation
VCU designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Target Audience
This educational activity is targeted at the rheumatologist.
Funding Statement
This educational program is supported by an educational grant from Amgen.
Conflict of Interest
It is the policy of VCU that participants in CME activities be made aware of any affiliation or financial interest that may affect those involved in content development or presentation. Those involved have completed a statement of disclosure, and their names and disclosure information will appear in the activity materials.
Symposium Speaker
Evan Siegel, MD
Disease Activity Measurement
Joint Sponsors
CMEsolutions LLC and Miller Professional Group, Inc.
Statement of Needs
Current available treatments for rheumatoid arthritis have been reported to modify disease activity. These treatments may slow or arrest structural joint damage, decrease objective clinical manifestations of joint inflammation, result in improvements in fatigue, and impact on patient function, including employment and capacity for activities of daily living. Multiple types of measurements have been utilized to provide an objective measurement of these differing parameters. In clinical trials, multiple measurements of disease activity or treatment outcomes, such as the ACR score, DAS, HAQ, SF-36 and various modifications of radiographic scoring systems have been used to assess the efficacy of a treatment intervention. However, because of the time required to perform these measures, or because resources to acquire the data needed for these measures may be limiting, most practicing rheumatologists do not make use of these measurements, at least not as formally structured. Measurements which take less time to conduct, and which may or may not include a laboratory test have been described in the literature, including the S-DAI, C-DAI, GAS, and RAPID. Studies have demonstrated a high correlation between these patient driven disease activity measures, with outcomes as measured by the DAS or ACR score, and with long term outcomes such as disability. In addition, several studies assessing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have demonstrated that “tight control” of rheumatoid arthritis accomplished in part utilizing a consistent approach to measuring disease activity is associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, to date fewer than 15% of practicing rheumatologists report using objective disease activity measures in clinical practice to guide treatment decisions.
Rheumatologists from across the country expressed the concept that with the multiple treatment options available today for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, it was necessary to understand and utilize objective measures of disease activity to help guide treatment decisions.
Learning Objectives
Upon concluding participation in the educational activity “Disease Activity Measurement”, attendees will have an improved ability to:
- Describe the utilization of clinical disease assessment tools used to measure disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis in clinical trials
a. ACR scoring
b. DAS
c. EULAR - Utilize laboratory testing for the diagnosis of and measurement of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis
- Utilize imaging tools used to assess structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis
a. X ray scoring
b. MRI
c. Ultrasound - Utilize patient based/derived measures of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions
a. MHAQ
b. RAPID 3,4,5
c. S-DAI
d. C-DAI
e. GAS - Describe data on approaches to disease activity assessment utilized by their peers in the assessment of disease activity in clinical practice
Accreditation
CMEsolutions is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
CMEsolutions designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Target Audience
This educational activity is targeted at the practicing rheumatologists, whether in office based practice or academic based practice.
Funding Statement
This educational program is supported by educational grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Abbott Pharmaceuticals.
Conflict of Interest
CMEsolutions requires that participants in CME activities be made aware of any affiliation or financial interest that may affect those involved in content development or presentation. Those involved have completed a statement of disclosure and their names and disclosure information will appear in the activity materials.
Program Speaker
Max Hamburger, MD
The Prevention and Management of Infections in Patients Receiving TNF Inhibitors
Course Director
John J. Cush, MD
Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology, Baylor University Medical Center;
Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
Who Should Attend
This educational activity is intended for rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals who prescribe and guide TNF inhibitors use.
Needs Assessment
TNF inhibitor use has steadily grown since their introduction in 1998. This has been fueled by their increasing acceptance as an effective disease modifying anti-rheumatic therapy (DMARD) and additional growth resulting from the expansion of disease indications. Despite this growth, and detailed clinical trial data, many clinicians are concerned about the potential safety of such therapies. Foremost amongst these concerns is the potential infectious risk associated with TNF inhibitor use.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:
- Identify infectious risks that accompany rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases
- Assess the potential risk of bacterial infections in RA patients treated with TNF inhibitors
- Recognize the measures needed to reduce risk of infection in patients receiving TNF inhibitors
- Interpret guidelines for the screening, prevention and treatment of mycobacterial infections in patients on TNF inhibitors
- Utilize recently proposed guidelines for the prevention and management of infections in TNF inhibitor treated patients
Accreditation
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Conflict of Interest
It is the policy of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that participants in CME activities be made aware of any affiliation or financial interest that may affect the speaker’s presentation(s). Each speaker has completed and signed a conflict of interest statement. The faculty members’ relationships will be disclosed in the course syllabus.
Sponsor
This educational activity is sponsored by The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Commercial Supporters
We gratefully acknowledge support from Abbott Laboratories and Centocor, Inc.
Discussion of Off-Label Use
Because this course is meant to educate physicians with what is currently in use and what may be available in the future, “off-label” use may be discussed in the presentations. Speakers have been requested to inform the audience when off-label use is being discussed.
If you want to register for the meeting, please email , or send a fax stating you want to attend and need to be put on the mailing list – fax 631 423 5531 or call 631-271-5544