BIOLOGIC THERAPIES IN RA: Improving Patient Outcomes

A CME-certified supplement to Rheumatology News, supported by an educational grant from UCB. This activity is jointly sponsored by University of Louisville Continuing Health Sciences Education and Global Academy for Medical Education, an Elsevier business.

Supported by an educational grant from Actelion Jointly sponsored by University of Louisville Continuing Health Sciences Education and Global Academy for Medical Education, an Elsevier business.

• Topic Highlights
• Faculty
• Target Audience
• Educational Needs
• Learning Objectives
• Accreditation Statement
• Credit Designation 
• Post-test and evaluation

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Topic Highlights

• Optimizing the Use of Anti-TNF Therapy in RA
• Treating to Target and Achieving Remission in RA

Faculty/Faculty Disclosure Statement

 

Roy M. Fleischmann, MD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Division of Rheumatology
Co-Medical Director, Metroplex Clinical Research Center (MCRC)
Dallas, TX

 

Roy M. Fleischmann, MD: Neither Dr Fleischmann nor his immediate family members have a personal financial relationship relevant to the content of this CME journal.

 

Iain McInnes, MRCP, PhD
Professor of Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology
Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre
University of Glasgow
United Kingdom

Iain McInnes, MRCP, PhD: Research Grant: Hoffman-La Roche Inc and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Speakers Bureau: Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

Target Audience

This educational activity is designed for rheumatologists and other health care professionals involved in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Educational Needs

The emerging understanding of inflammatory pathways provided the basis for development of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that offer more specific therapy for RA. Five of these agents target the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inflammatory pathway (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, and infliximab). During more than a decade of clinical use, inhibitors of TNF have played a major role in treatment advances that have improved disease control, helped preserve functional ability, and improved outcomes for patients with RA. The development of more effective therapy and therapeutic strategies for RA has brought to the field of rheumatology the concept of tight control or treatment to target. Remission and low-level activity have become appropriate, and achievable, therapeutic goals for most patients with RA. Intuitively, treatment strategies that achieve and maintain a specified low level of disease activity might be expected to improve patient outcomes in RA. Data from well-designed clinical trials remain somewhat limited but have provided reason for optimism that treating to target will improve RA outcomes, similar to the clinical experience in diabetes and hypertension.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

 

• Describe the principal findings from selected studies on RA recently presented that have implications for patient management
• Identify and understand strategies for treating RA to a specific target of low-level disease activity
• Appreciate the potential benefits and limitations of switching patients with RA from one TNF inhibitor to another in the class

 

Accreditation Statement

This activity 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 the University of Louisville School of Medicine Continuing Health Sciences Education (CHSE) and Global Academy for Medical Education, an Elsevier business. CHSE is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing education for physicians.

Credit Designation

CHSE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Post Test and Evaluation

 

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