Recent advances in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of rheumatic disease have increased the potential for improved outcomes, including a state of low disease activity or remission. The availability of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has profoundly altered the approach to treatment and the potential for improved response in many patients.

Nevertheless, rheumatologists and other clinicians face continued challenges in optimizing patient care, and many may lack skill in optimizing therapy to control rheumatic disease activity. Management of comorbid conditions and adverse events including infection may be suboptimal, and delays in diagnosis could delay initiation of appropriate treatment. In addition, many patients continue to have active disease despite initiation of therapy. This is important because the initiation of early, aggressive treatment has been shown to improve outcomes in some patients. Treatment response and susceptibility to adverse effects may vary by patient. To use DMARDs effectively in clinical practice, and in accordance with evidence-based guidelines, clinicians should be aware of their differing mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety data. Individualized treatment approaches are needed to improve overall patient outcomes.

This Virtual Grand Round series will engage rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and other interested clinicians in an examination, discussion, and assessment of the most recent peer-reviewed literature that addresses rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), gout, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis. Emerging strategies for the management of these rheumatic diseases will be emphasized.

Webcasts
	Update on Psoriatic Arthritis - Perspectives from the Dermatology - Rheumatology Experience M. Elaine Husni, MD, MPH
	Estimated Time: 30 minutes Release Date: November 29, 2011 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date: November 29, 2012 Specialties: Rheumatology
	Treatment of the Patient With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Allan Gibofsky, MD, JD, FACP, FCLM
	Estimated Time: 45 minutes Release Date: November 10, 2011 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date: November 11, 2012 Specialties: Rheumatology
	Managing HBV-Infected RA Patients— Dilemmas and Opportunities Leonard H. Calabrese, DO
	Estimated Time: 30 minutes Release Date: October 11, 2011 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date: October 11, 2012 Specialties: Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology
	Treatment Options for the Patient with Refractory RA Marc Cohen, MD
	Estimated Time: 30 minutes Release Date: September 14, 2011 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date: September 14, 2012 Specialties: Rheumatology
	Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatology Anthony Reginato, PhD, MD
	Estimated Time: 1 hour Release Date: April 1, 2011 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date: April 1, 2012 Specialties: Rheumatology

Target Audience

This activity is directed at rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and other clinicians who treat patients with rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), gout, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Ask the Expert

Using the Ask the Expert portal, participants have the opportunity to submit questions about the case to the Activity Director, Leonard Calabrese, DO. To access this feature, begin the activity and enter your question(s) in the box at the bottom of the screen.

Activity Director

Leonard H. Calabrese, DO
Professor of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
Vice Chairman
Department of Rheumatic & Immunologic Diseases
R.J. Fasenmyer Chair of Clinical Immunology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio