Patient perspectives on tapering biologic or targeted synthetic therapy in well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis and comparison with providers' perspectives.

Objective: We examined patient and providers' perspectives on tapering biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD or tsDMARD) in well-controlled RA to determine which factors influence their long-term treatment decisions.

Methods: A standardized phone survey was administered to patients with well-controlled RA based on electronic health record review. Providers were also surveyed.

Challenges in Treating Statin-Associated Necrotizing Myopathy.

Myalgia and mild elevation in muscle enzymes are common side effects of statin therapy. While these symptoms are generally self-limited, in rare cases, statin use is associated with an immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy caused by development of autoantibodies against HMG-CoA reductase. The primary presenting symptom of this condition is progressive symmetric proximal weakness that does not abate or worsens even after cessation of statin therapy and is associated with markedly elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels.