Abstracts in Rheumatology (EULAR 2007)

Faculty

Needs Statement

Abstracts in Rheumatology, a CME-accredited educational program, presents a carefully constructed summary of a major international conference and is developed to equip readers with practical knowledge of the area under discussion. The comments are commissioned to support particular educational themes identified by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial team.

This issue of Abstracts in Rheumatology presents data from the 2007 EULAR annual congress. A great deal of information is presented at conferences, but many physicians are unable to attend. Abstracts in Rheumatology provides practitioners with rapid access to specially selected conference abstracts of particular relevance to their clinical practice. The topics covered by this newsletter encompass prognosis and predictors in RA, and the efficacy and safety of biologics in the treatment of rheumatoid disease.

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

1. Appreciate the importance of early diagnosis of RA;
2. Comprehend the newest treatment options for RA, PsA, and AS;
3. Recognize the role of biologics in the treatment RA, PsA, and AS.

Accreditation

Medicine
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™. 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. Stephen Paget, MD, FACP, FACR is a consultant for Abbott, Genentech and Pfizer.

Dr. Eric M. Ruderman, MD has had financial relationships with Abbott Immunology, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Centocor, Genentech, Human Genome Sciences, Biogen-IDEC, Isis, Roche, and Targeted Genetics. He has also participated on advisory boards sponsored by Abbott Immunology, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, and Wyeth, and on speakers’ bureaus supported by Abbott Immunology, Bristol- Myers Squibb and Centocor.

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.