February 11, 2009

February 11, 2010

1.5 Hours

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, debilitating systemic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. It involves inflammation of the synovial membranes of certain joints, which leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage and bone. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis may result in progressive joint destruction, deformity, disability, and death. It affects almost 1% of the US population, or 2.5 million people. It can occur at any age, although the peak time of onset is between the ages of 40 and 60 years. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs 3 times more often in women than men. Within 10 years of the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, 50% of patients will be disabled. Within 20 years of onset, 80% will have some disability or deformity. It is imperative that patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis be treated quickly and effectively to slow or halt progression of disease.

Four categories of biologic agents have been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the US: TNF-alpha inhibitors, T-cell costimulation inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, and B-cell targeted therapies. This activity will provide the opportunity to assess, diagnose and treat patients in an office setting. The goal of the program is to increase safety and efficacy while improving the quality of life for patients inflicted with this rheumatoid arthritis.

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of rheumatologists, infusion nurses and physicians that treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

1. Identify 3 types of immunomodulatory therapies and how they are used to treat patients with RA.
2. Name 2 reasons these patients must be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Internet

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Med Learning Group (MLG). PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For questions regarding the content of this activity, contact the accredited provider for this CME/CE activity: info@pimed.com

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period February 11, 2009 through February 11, 2010, participants must:

1. Read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures
2. Study the educational activity
3. Complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each question
4. Complete the evaluation
5. Submit your posttest and evaluation
6. Print your certificate

To participate in this activity, please view the presentation and take the posttest. Fill in the answer sheet and evaluation form and submit online via iQueue. CME credit will be awarded if a score of 70% or better is achieved. You will receive your certificate instantly.

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) assesses conflict of interest with its instructors, planners, manager and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of CME activities. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity, and patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

The faculty reported the following financial relationship or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Eric Ruderman, MD
Advisory Board: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec., Genentech, and Roche
Research Grants: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, and Roche


The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MSN
No financial relationship with any commercial entity.

Linda Grahm, RN
No financial relationship with any commercial entity.

Trace Hutchinson, PharmD
No financial relationship with any commercial entity.

Tara Hun-Dorris, MMC, ELS
Consultant: Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Christopher J. Cahill, Project Manager
No financial relationship with any commercial entity.

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Med Learning Group (MLG), and Merck & Co., Inc., do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, Med Learning Group (MLG) Scientia MedMedia LLC, and Merck & Co., Inc. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.