Faculty

Mark Genovese, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Immunology And Rheumatology
Stanford University School Of Medicine

Don Flinn, PA-C
Physician Assistant, McBride Clinic, Oklahoma City, Ok.
Vice-President, Society Of Physician Assistants In Rheumatology

Nathan Wei, MD
Clinical Director
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center
Frederick, Md.

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Agenda

“Reviewing The Role of DMARDs In Treating RA”
Don Flinn, PA-C

“Assessing The Potential of Biologic Therapies”
Mark Genovese, MD

“What You Should Know About Infusion Therapy”
Nathan Wei, MD

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Target Audience

This activity is geared to physicians, nurses, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who treat rheumatoid arthritis.

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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

• discuss the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, potential long-term consequences of the disease, and the importance of early diagnosis
• review the mechanisms of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), ranging from methotrexate to leflunomide and etanercept
• discuss key considerations in assessing the efficacy of first-line DMARD treatment
• discuss the mechanism of t-cell and b-cell therapies, and their role within the armamentarium for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
• assess the safety and efficacy of abatacept and rituximab as evidenced by recent studies
• compare and contrast infusion dosing regimens of DMARDs for rheumatoid arthritis
• review key considerations in proper patient selection for infusion therapy
• discuss the potential for infusion reactions among the DMARD agents
• explain how one can identify infusion reactions and manage them effectively

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Accreditation

MD/DO: This activity is sponsored by the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME). NACCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. NACCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1.5 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies.

Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts AMA Category 1.5 credit for the PRA from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Nurses: ANCC: NACCME is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the PA State Nurses Association for 1.5 contact hours. Provider #: 110-3-E-06. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13255 for 1.5 contact hours.

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Faculty disclosures

All faculty participating in continuing education programs sponsored by NACCME are expected to disclose to the meeting audience any real or apparent conflicts of interest related to the content of their presentation. It is not assumed that these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on faculty presentations. Full faculty disclosure will be made at the beginning of the activity.

Mr. Flinn has disclosed that he has no significant financial relationship with any organization that could be perceived as a real or apparent conflict of interest in the context of the subject of his presentation..

Dr. Genovese has disclosed that he has received grant/research support, is a consultant and scientific advisor to Amgen, Abbott, Centocor, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Genentech.

Dr. Wei has disclosed that he has received grant/research support from Abbott, Amgen, Genentech, Targeted Genetics, Pfizer, Centocor, Johnson and Johnson, Serono and Roche.

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Commercial Supporter

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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Sponsor

The activity is sponsored by the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME).