Effectively Managing the Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Amidst the Safety Issues of Biologic Therapy

Faculty

Marc D. Cohen, MD
Professor of Medicine
National Jewish Medical and Research Center

Needs Statement

A discussion of the safety issues surrounding the use of biologic therapy is offered to clinicians to help support making critical treatment choice decisions.  The occurrence of serious infectious episodes, serious post-operative infections, opportunistic infections, and malignancy with biologics compared with nonbiologic therapy will be discussed.  Other areas of concern to be addressed include the use of biologics and their potential effect on neurologic and cardiovascular disorders.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals who manage the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Objectives

1. Summarize the various safety-related concerns surrounding the use of biologic therapy;
2. Compare the occurrence of infection and malignancy with biologic therapy versus other treatment options in the patient with RA;
3. Discuss opportunities for screening patients with RA prior to initiating treatment with biologics.

To be eligible for credit, participants must participate in the full educational activity, complete the post-test with a score of 70% or better, and complete the online evaluation form. 

Accreditation

Medicine
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Cohen serves on the speakers bureau for Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen Inc., Genentech, Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, (Spouse: Speaker’s bureau—Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor, Inc., Genentech, Inc. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals); and serves as a consultant to Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen Inc., Genentech, Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

No members of the planning committee report any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests of healthcare products or services related to this activity.

This educational activity does not contain discussion of off-label or investigational use of drugs or devices.
 

Activity Sponsorship

Supported by an educational grant from:
Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor, Inc, Genentech, Inc and Biogen Idec Inc, and UCB, Inc.

Copyright © 2008 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this accredited continuing education activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without first obtaining permission from the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.