Rheumatology Highlights Newsletter (EULAR 2008)

Faculty

Needs Statement

Rheumatology Highlights, a CME-accredited educational program, presents a carefully constructed report from a major international conference and is developed to equip readers with practical knowledge of the area under discussion. These articles are commissioned to support particular educational themes identified by the Editor-in-Chief, Editorial team and readers. This issue of Rheumatology Highlights presents a report from the 2008 EULAR annual meeting. A great deal of information is presented at conferences, but many physicians are unable to attend. Rheumatology Highlights provides practitioners with rapid access to specially selected conference highlights of particular relevance to their clinical practice. The topics covered by this newsletter encompass the therapeutic strategies involving anti-TNF-α agents in the management of RA, long-term safety of anti-TNFs in RA, clinical trials of novel biological agents in RA, and the management of spondyloarthropathies.

Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of practicing rheumatologists and allied healthcare professionals involved in the management and treatment of patients with rheumatoid disease.

Objectives

After completion of this program, participants should be able to discuss the following:
• Long-term efficacy and safety findings from trials of anti-TNF-α agents in RA;
• Optimal therapeutic strategies involving anti-TNF-α agents in RA;
• Results from studies of novel biological agents – certolizumab pegol and tocilizumab;
• The role of adalimumab in management of ankylosing spondylitis and;
• Studies of adalimumab and golimumab in psoriatic arthritis.

Accreditation

CME
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Remedica Medical Education. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the 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.

CPE
The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

This activity has been assigned ACPE # 022-999-08-127-H01-P and will award 1.00 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers.

Statements of credit will indicate hours and CEUs based on participation and will be issued online at the conclusion of the activity. Successful completion includes completing the activity, its accompanying evaluation and/or posttest (score 70% or higher) and requesting credit online at the conclusion of the activity. The College complies with the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education.

ANCC
Creative Educational Concepts, Inc. (CEC) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

CEC provides this activity for 1.00 contact hour(s).

Learners are advised that accredited status does not imply endorsement by the provider or ANCC of any commercial products displayed in conjunction with an activity.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Fleischmann serves on the speaker's bureau for Amgen, Wyeth, Abbott and Genentech; has received research support and consult fees from Amgen, Wyeth, Abbott, Genentech, Roche, UCB Pharma, Pfizer and Lilly and; has directly purchased stock from Abbott, Astra Zeneca and Proctor & Gamble.

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and Remedica Medical Education. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Laboratories.