Perceptions of Infection Risk With Immunomodulatory Medications.

Objectives: Physicians of many specialties encounter patients treated with immunomodulatory medications and must weigh the risk of infection when making medical decisions. We explored how physician perceptions of the infection risk of immunomodulatory medications differ by specialty and level of experience.

Methods: A survey was distributed to physicians from the internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, rheumatology, dermatology, and infectious disease departments at 1 tertiary care institution.

Development and validation of case-finding algorithms for the identification of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in large healthcare administrative databases.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate case-finding algorithms for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's, GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic GPA (Churg-Strauss, EGPA).

Methods: Two hundred fifty patients per disease were randomly selected from two large healthcare systems using the International Classification of Diseases version 9 (ICD9) codes for GPA/EGPA (446.4) and MPA (446.

Reliability and Validity of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Outcome Instruments Among Dermatologists, Pulmonologists, and Rheumatologists.

Importance: Dermatologists, pulmonologists, and rheumatologists study and treat patients with sarcoidosis with cutaneous manifestations. The validity of cutaneous sarcoidosis outcome instruments for use across medical specialties remains unknown.

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of cutaneous sarcoidosis outcome instruments for use by dermatologists and nondermatologists treating sarcoidosis.

Using temporal artery biopsy to diagnose giant cell arteritis in a patient with bilateral arm ischemia.

Introduction: Bilateral upper extremity ischemia is an unusual presentation of vascular disease. Aetiologies include atherosclerosis as well as rheumatologic diseases. History and physical examination are often, but not always, enough to distinguish between aetiologies and guide treatment.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with biologic therapy.

The use of biologics in the treatment of autoimmune disease, cancer, and other immune conditions has revolutionized medical care in these areas. However, there are drawbacks to the use of these medications including increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. One unforeseen risk once opportunistic infection has occurred with biologic use is the onset of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) upon drug withdrawal.

The role of an online community for people with a rare disease: content analysis of messages posted on a primary biliary cirrhosis mailinglist.

Background: This study focuses on the role of an Internet-based group for people who have an autoimmune liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis. Primary biliary cirrhosis is a relatively rare disease, affects primarily women in their 40's and older, and is not well understood. The PBCers Organization (PBC stands for primary biliary cirrhosis) provides electronic mailinglists (listservs) and informational resources for those with primary biliary cirrhosis.