Sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Produced by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education-Princeton CME

Statement of Need

This educational activity focuses on the clinical presentation and measurements of the spondyloarthropathies and on the available treatments. It is essential that clinicians stay abreast of the advances in theses areas for optimal outcomes in the management of the spondyloarthropathies. Topics to be discussed include diagnostic criteria, assessment instruments, and current data on the efficacy of biologics in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.   

Target Audience

This activity is designed for rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals who manage the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Explain the clinical presentation of the spondyloarthropathies (SpAs) and outcome measures of disease activity
• Describe the latest data on the benefits and limitations of biologics in the treatment of SpAs
• Implement diagnostic and assessment strategies for the management of SpAs

Credit Eligibility

To be eligible for documentation of credit, participants must complete the pre-activity survey, attend the full educational activity, complete the 10-question post-test with a score of 70% or better, and complete the evaluation form. Participants who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form online may immediately print their documentation of credit.

Participants who have successfully completed the live version of this activity are not eligible to receive credit for this enduring material.

Release Date: October 16, 2008

Expiration Date: October 16, 2009

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

There is no fee associated with this activity.

Lecture Components

The audio presentation, post-test, and evaluation forms are available as a click through, via the menu at the top of the page.

CME Accreditation

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the 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.

The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity University.

University of Kentucky College of Medicine test code: MEN09120

Grant Support

This program is supported by educational grants from Genentech, Inc and Biogen Idec Inc, Abbott Laboratories, Centocor, Inc, UCB, Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Amgen Inc, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Faculty

Presenter

Philip J. Mease, MD
Seattle Rheumatology Associates
Chief of Rheumatology Research
Swedish Medical Center
Clinical Professor of Medicine
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Independent Clinical Reviewer

Mandana Hashefi, MD, FACR
Medical Faculty Associates
Division of Rheumatology
George Washington University
Washington, DC 

Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

According to the disclosure policy of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and NACCME-Princeton CME, faculty, editors, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with relevant commercial companies related to this activity.  All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and NACCME-Princeton CME to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation.
 
All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

The faculty has reported the following:

Dr. Mease: Consultant—Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Genentech, Inc., UCB, Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; Research support—Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Genentech, Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; Speaker’s bureau—Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor, Inc., Genentech, Inc., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Hashefi has disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

Planning Committee Mandy Johnson, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Randy Robbin, John Savage, Rosemary Hodgson, Richard Tyska, PharmD, and William Kormos, NACCME-Princeton CME have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine and NACCME-Princeton CME require faculty to inform participants whenever off-label/unapproved uses of drugs or devices are discussed in their presentation.

The faculty has disclosed that no off-label/unapproved uses of drugs or devices will be discussed.

Privacy Policy

NACCME-Princeton CME protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. NACCME-Princeton CME and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

NACCME-Princeton CME maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information. 

Copyright © 2008 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this accredited continuing education activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without first obtaining permission from the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.