HSS presents studies at 2016 ACR Annual Meeting

New York, NY

At this year’s American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) presented several studies on leading research in rheumatology. Some 2016 studies include:

Study: Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Who Smoke or Are Overweight See Less Symptom Improvement with Treatment

• Vivian P. Bykerk, BSc, MD, FRCPC, rheumatologist at HSS, presented a study that found that smoking or being overweight makes it more difficult for patients with rheumatoid arthritis to achieve optimal control of inflammation and symptoms despite receiving standard of care treatment. Read the full press release here.

Treating Rheumatic Disease: It's Important to Address Range of Emotions That Patients – and Doctors – Experience

• Members of the HSS Department of Social Work Programs including Adena Batterman, LCSW, Joan Westreich, LCSW-R, and Jillian Rose, LCSW, MPH, presented on the impact of living with a rheumatic illness, the role of patients’ culture and socioeconomic conditions and the psychological effect on clinicians who treat chronic conditions on a daily basis. Read the full press release here.

Survey Finds Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Doctors Not Always on the Same Page

• Allan Gibofsky, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, presented a survey that found that most doctors believe more patient involvement in decision-making would improve RA management. Read the full press release here.

Study Shows Bilingual Lupus Support and Education Program Has Positive Impact

• Members of the HSS Department of Social Work Programs including Melissa Flores, MPH, LMSW, presented a study that indicates that support programs such as Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)® are beneficial to those with lupus. Read the full press release here.

Effect of Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares on Pain and Function at One Year Following Major Joint Replacement

• Susan M. Goodman, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, presented a study that reports that RA flares following joint replacement may not actually worsen patient pain and functioning one year out. Read the full press release here.

Belimumab with Background Mycophenolate Shows Potential in Early, Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis

• Jessica K. Gordon, MD, and Robert F. Spiera, MD, both rheumatologists at HSS, presented findings from a small pilot trial testing treatment options for systemic sclerosis. Read the full press release here.