Proceedings of the 2011 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposia--Arthur Kavanaugh, MD and John J. Cush, MD (proceedings editors) (course directors: Arthur Kavanaugh, MD, George Martin, MD).

摘要

The 4th annual Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposia (RWCS) was held in January 2011 and brought together a talented faculty and many clinical rheumatologists, physician extenders, and rheumatology fellows for a 3 and 1/2 day symposia. This highly interactive and cross-disciplinary conference addressed the latest data, advances, and pivotal topics in rheumatology. Below are several synopses of RWCS presentations. These and other presentations from the meeting are available for viewing on the R-W-C-S.com website.The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has changed dramatically in the 21st century. In the first decade we had the introduction of a number of new therapies for RA including TNFalpha inhibitors, a blocker of the costimula-tory pathway, antibodies to the receptor of IL6, and an anti-B-cell therapy. Although each is useful in patients with active RA, with an acceptable risk:benefit profile, not all patients can tolerate, respond to, or afford these biologic agents.