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Rheumatology Topic Center

Featured Article

News
03/20/2026
Lisa Kuhns, PhD, MD
Machine learning models may help clinicians pinpoint which older patients with rheumatoid arthritis are most likely to fall off therapy—before it happens.
Machine learning models may help clinicians pinpoint which older patients with rheumatoid arthritis are most likely to fall off therapy—before it happens.
Machine learning models may help...
03/20/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
03/12/2026
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
Payer coverage design, beyond drug cost alone, is shaping patient access to emerging myasthenia gravis therapies and driving the need for more flexible, individualized treatment models.
Payer coverage design, beyond drug cost alone, is shaping patient access to emerging myasthenia gravis therapies and driving the need for more flexible, individualized treatment models.
Payer coverage design, beyond...
03/12/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
10/07/2025
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
A large Veterans Health Administration (VHA) study found no significant difference in multiple myeloma incidence between patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs...
A large Veterans Health Administration (VHA) study found no significant difference in multiple myeloma incidence between patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs...
A large Veterans Health...
10/07/2025
First Report Managed Care
News
05/07/2025
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
New findings reveal what motivates patients with rheumatoid arthritis to participate in clinical trials.
New findings reveal what motivates patients with rheumatoid arthritis to participate in clinical trials.
New findings reveal what...
05/07/2025
First Report Managed Care
News
04/08/2025
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
Using national survey data, researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis imposes a substantial economic and humanistic burden, driven largely by prescription costs and impaired daily functioning.
Using national survey data, researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis imposes a substantial economic and humanistic burden, driven largely by prescription costs and impaired daily functioning.
Using national survey data,...
04/08/2025
First Report Managed Care
News
04/17/2024
Jolynn Tumolo
Although glucocorticoid treatment reduced inflammatory parameters in real-world patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), more than a third still showed above-normal levels throughout a 52-week follow-up period, according to study results...
Although glucocorticoid treatment reduced inflammatory parameters in real-world patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), more than a third still showed above-normal levels throughout a 52-week follow-up period, according to study results...
Although glucocorticoid...
04/17/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
04/05/2024
Lisa Kuhns, PhD, MD
Potential red flags for large-vessel vasculitis in isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) include inflammatory back pain, significant pelvic involvement, widespread lower extremity pain, marked inflammatory response indicated by specific lab...
Potential red flags for large-vessel vasculitis in isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) include inflammatory back pain, significant pelvic involvement, widespread lower extremity pain, marked inflammatory response indicated by specific lab...
Potential red flags for...
04/05/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
03/28/2024

Emry Lloyd

Emry Lloyd
Different target-to-treat strategies for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arthritis and how physicians can understand these strategies to suitably treat patients were revealed in a literature review.
Different target-to-treat strategies for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arthritis and how physicians can understand these strategies to suitably treat patients were revealed in a literature review.
Different target-to-treat...
03/28/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
03/12/2024
Jolynn Tumolo
An international task force recently published the first target-to-treat (T2T) recommendations for patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
An international task force recently published the first target-to-treat (T2T) recommendations for patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
An international task force...
03/12/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
02/15/2023
Hannah Musick
A monoclonal antibody reduced disease activity in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, but researchers say more evidence is needed to clarify the agent's potential benefits and harm.
A monoclonal antibody reduced disease activity in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, but researchers say more evidence is needed to clarify the agent's potential benefits and harm.
A monoclonal antibody reduced...
02/15/2023
First Report Managed Care
News
02/03/2023
Jolynn Tumolo
Researchers evaluated the frequency of adverse drug reactions, incidence of treatment discontinuation, and other drug-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab or etanercept.
Researchers evaluated the frequency of adverse drug reactions, incidence of treatment discontinuation, and other drug-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab or etanercept.
Researchers evaluated the...
02/03/2023
First Report Managed Care

Newsfeed

News
03/20/2026
Lisa Kuhns, PhD, MD
Machine learning models may help clinicians pinpoint which older patients with rheumatoid arthritis are most likely to fall off therapy—before it happens.
Machine learning models may help clinicians pinpoint which older patients with rheumatoid arthritis are most likely to fall off therapy—before it happens.
Machine learning models may help...
03/20/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
10/07/2025
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
A large Veterans Health Administration (VHA) study found no significant difference in multiple myeloma incidence between patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs...
A large Veterans Health Administration (VHA) study found no significant difference in multiple myeloma incidence between patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs...
A large Veterans Health...
10/07/2025
First Report Managed Care
News
05/07/2025
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
New findings reveal what motivates patients with rheumatoid arthritis to participate in clinical trials.
New findings reveal what motivates patients with rheumatoid arthritis to participate in clinical trials.
New findings reveal what...
05/07/2025
First Report Managed Care
News
04/08/2025
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
Using national survey data, researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis imposes a substantial economic and humanistic burden, driven largely by prescription costs and impaired daily functioning.
Using national survey data, researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis imposes a substantial economic and humanistic burden, driven largely by prescription costs and impaired daily functioning.
Using national survey data,...
04/08/2025
First Report Managed Care
News
04/17/2024
Jolynn Tumolo
Although glucocorticoid treatment reduced inflammatory parameters in real-world patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), more than a third still showed above-normal levels throughout a 52-week follow-up period, according to study results...
Although glucocorticoid treatment reduced inflammatory parameters in real-world patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), more than a third still showed above-normal levels throughout a 52-week follow-up period, according to study results...
Although glucocorticoid...
04/17/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
04/05/2024
Lisa Kuhns, PhD, MD
Potential red flags for large-vessel vasculitis in isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) include inflammatory back pain, significant pelvic involvement, widespread lower extremity pain, marked inflammatory response indicated by specific lab...
Potential red flags for large-vessel vasculitis in isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) include inflammatory back pain, significant pelvic involvement, widespread lower extremity pain, marked inflammatory response indicated by specific lab...
Potential red flags for...
04/05/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
03/28/2024

Emry Lloyd

Emry Lloyd
Different target-to-treat strategies for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arthritis and how physicians can understand these strategies to suitably treat patients were revealed in a literature review.
Different target-to-treat strategies for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arthritis and how physicians can understand these strategies to suitably treat patients were revealed in a literature review.
Different target-to-treat...
03/28/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
03/12/2024
Jolynn Tumolo
An international task force recently published the first target-to-treat (T2T) recommendations for patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
An international task force recently published the first target-to-treat (T2T) recommendations for patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
An international task force...
03/12/2024
First Report Managed Care
News
02/15/2023
Hannah Musick
A monoclonal antibody reduced disease activity in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, but researchers say more evidence is needed to clarify the agent's potential benefits and harm.
A monoclonal antibody reduced disease activity in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, but researchers say more evidence is needed to clarify the agent's potential benefits and harm.
A monoclonal antibody reduced...
02/15/2023
First Report Managed Care
News
02/03/2023
Jolynn Tumolo
Researchers evaluated the frequency of adverse drug reactions, incidence of treatment discontinuation, and other drug-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab or etanercept.
Researchers evaluated the frequency of adverse drug reactions, incidence of treatment discontinuation, and other drug-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab or etanercept.
Researchers evaluated the...
02/03/2023
First Report Managed Care
News
05/04/2026
Rebecca Amrick
In a recent study, patients with hypertensive emergencies had similar outcomes in intermediate care (IMC) and intensive care unit (ICU) settings, suggesting IMC units may safely reduce ICU utilization without compromising care.
In a recent study, patients with hypertensive emergencies had similar outcomes in intermediate care (IMC) and intensive care unit (ICU) settings, suggesting IMC units may safely reduce ICU utilization without compromising care.
In a recent study, patients with...
05/04/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
05/04/2026
Hannah Musick
Adjuvant immunotherapies may improve lung cancer outcomes, but high costs and budget impact concerns highlight the need for biomarker-guided use, value-based pricing, and phased adoption.
Adjuvant immunotherapies may improve lung cancer outcomes, but high costs and budget impact concerns highlight the need for biomarker-guided use, value-based pricing, and phased adoption.
Adjuvant immunotherapies may...
05/04/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
05/04/2026
Rebecca Amrick
With similar response rates but consistently lower costs, teclistamab may offer a more economically favorable option than elranatamab for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), according to a study published in the...
With similar response rates but consistently lower costs, teclistamab may offer a more economically favorable option than elranatamab for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), according to a study published in the...
With similar response rates but...
05/04/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
04/29/2026
Rebecca Amrick
Dr Tycel Phillips from Blood Cancers Today explains how the bispecific antibody glofitamab may offer a more accessible and potentially curative alternative to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with diffuse large...
Dr Tycel Phillips from Blood Cancers Today explains how the bispecific antibody glofitamab may offer a more accessible and potentially curative alternative to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with diffuse large...
Dr Tycel Phillips from Blood...
04/29/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
04/27/2026
Rebecca Amrick
A small-scale exploratory study analyzed the impact of hemodialysis on DNA methylation patterns and found inflammation to be linked a system-wide reaction.
A small-scale exploratory study analyzed the impact of hemodialysis on DNA methylation patterns and found inflammation to be linked a system-wide reaction.
A small-scale exploratory study...
04/27/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
04/24/2026
Rebecca Amrick
A real-world multicenter study suggests bispecific antibodies remain effective in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL), but treatment sequencing may impact progression-free survival.
A real-world multicenter study suggests bispecific antibodies remain effective in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL), but treatment sequencing may impact progression-free survival.
A real-world multicenter study...
04/24/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
04/23/2026
Danielle Sposato
The Trump Administration today announced a new agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Regeneron aimed at aligning US prescription drug prices with those paid in other developed nations under a most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing model.
The Trump Administration today announced a new agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Regeneron aimed at aligning US prescription drug prices with those paid in other developed nations under a most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing model.
The Trump Administration today...
04/23/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
04/23/2026
Danielle Sposato
The Trump Administration today announced a new agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Regeneron aimed at aligning US prescription drug prices with those paid in other developed nations under a most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing model.
The Trump Administration today announced a new agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Regeneron aimed at aligning US prescription drug prices with those paid in other developed nations under a most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing model.
The Trump Administration today...
04/23/2026
First Report Managed Care
News
04/23/2026
Rebecca Amrick
A simulation study found that semaglutide could deliver meaningful health benefits as a secondary prevention strategy for cardiovascular disease (CVD) but will only be cost-effective if current drug prices are reduced.
A simulation study found that semaglutide could deliver meaningful health benefits as a secondary prevention strategy for cardiovascular disease (CVD) but will only be cost-effective if current drug prices are reduced.
A simulation study found that...
04/23/2026
First Report Managed Care
Behind the Bill
04/23/2026
Grace Taylor, MS, MA
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has reclassified certain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved marijuana products as Schedule III substances, a shift that may expand research and influence future clinical and coverage decisions in...
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has reclassified certain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved marijuana products as Schedule III substances, a shift that may expand research and influence future clinical and coverage decisions in...
The US Department of Justice...
04/23/2026
First Report Managed Care

Insights

Interview
07/23/2019
Peter M ten Klooster, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Twente in Enschede in the Netherlands, discusses why achieving early remission for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is important to payers and how it can result in...
Peter M ten Klooster, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Twente in Enschede in the Netherlands, discusses why achieving early remission for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is important to payers and how it can result in...
Peter M ten Klooster, PhD,...
07/23/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
06/20/2019
Beau Norgeot, MS, of Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute at the University of California, explains how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the cost of care for patients with complex diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, and...
Beau Norgeot, MS, of Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute at the University of California, explains how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the cost of care for patients with complex diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, and...
Beau Norgeot, MS, of Bakar...
06/20/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
06/06/2019
Julie Gould
Parvaneh Heidari, PhD student at Monash University, explains why it is recommended that health policy makers globally identify an appropriate out-of-pocket amount to ensure costs do not affect medication adherence among patients with...
Parvaneh Heidari, PhD student at Monash University, explains why it is recommended that health policy makers globally identify an appropriate out-of-pocket amount to ensure costs do not affect medication adherence among patients with...
Parvaneh Heidari, PhD student at...
06/06/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
05/09/2019
Nirav N Shah, MD, attending anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist at Northshore University Health System, explains how neuromodulation can help lessen pain caused by rheumatologic conditions as well as reduce opioid...
Nirav N Shah, MD, attending anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist at Northshore University Health System, explains how neuromodulation can help lessen pain caused by rheumatologic conditions as well as reduce opioid...
Nirav N Shah, MD, attending...
05/09/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
04/11/2019
Jeffrey Sparks, MD, rheumatologist and population scientist, discusses the importance of high levels of physical activity and explains why he suspects physical activity has beneficial effects on the immune system and also lowers systemic...
Jeffrey Sparks, MD, rheumatologist and population scientist, discusses the importance of high levels of physical activity and explains why he suspects physical activity has beneficial effects on the immune system and also lowers systemic...
Jeffrey Sparks, MD,...
04/11/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
04/08/2019
Samy Suissa, PhD, professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medicine at McGill University in Montreal, discusses a label warning on a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug for patients with RA and COPD and he explains that the choice of biologic...
Samy Suissa, PhD, professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medicine at McGill University in Montreal, discusses a label warning on a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug for patients with RA and COPD and he explains that the choice of biologic...
Samy Suissa, PhD, professor of...
04/08/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
03/14/2019
Kata Bognar, PhD, research economist at Precision Health Economics, discusses how rapid, cloud-enabled, onsite lab testing for RA diagnosis is valuable to payers and can potentially lower the number of visits per patient.
Kata Bognar, PhD, research economist at Precision Health Economics, discusses how rapid, cloud-enabled, onsite lab testing for RA diagnosis is valuable to payers and can potentially lower the number of visits per patient.
Kata Bognar, PhD, research...
03/14/2019
First Report Managed Care
Interview
03/06/2019
Wendy Marder, MD, associate professor and clinical service chief of the division of rheumatology at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan, discusses telemedicine in a rheumatology setting and explains how telemedicine will impact...
Wendy Marder, MD, associate professor and clinical service chief of the division of rheumatology at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan, discusses telemedicine in a rheumatology setting and explains how telemedicine will impact...
Wendy Marder, MD, associate...
03/06/2019
First Report Managed Care
CO
Interview
04/23/2026
Chandra Y. Osborn, PhD, MPH
A member of our First Report Managed Care Editorial Advisory Board explains why managed care decisions hinge on confidence over speed—and how embedding behavioral science across the care continuum can close adherence gaps, activate patients,...
A member of our First Report Managed Care Editorial Advisory Board explains why managed care decisions hinge on confidence over speed—and how embedding behavioral science across the care continuum can close adherence gaps, activate patients,...
A member of our First Report...
04/23/2026
First Report Managed Care
Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal
Videos
03/31/2026
Lingbin Meng, MD, PhD
Lingbin Meng, MD, discusses how adding retifanlimab to chemotherapy may reshape frontline treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.
Lingbin Meng, MD, discusses how adding retifanlimab to chemotherapy may reshape frontline treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.
Lingbin Meng, MD, discusses how...
03/31/2026
First Report Managed Care
Al B. Benson, III, MD, FACP, FASCO
Videos
03/31/2026
Al B. Benson, III, MD, FACP, FASCO
Dr Benson reviews the epidemiology and unmet clinical need in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) and examines the evolving role of immunotherapy in the first-line setting. He also contextualizes recent regulatory and...
Dr Benson reviews the epidemiology and unmet clinical need in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) and examines the evolving role of immunotherapy in the first-line setting. He also contextualizes recent regulatory and...
Dr Benson reviews the...
03/31/2026
First Report Managed Care
Videos
03/30/2026
Andy De, CMO
A guest expert explains why generative AI has largely stalled in health care and argues that agentic AI—focused on automating workflows and driving action—offers a more practical path to measurable ROI, improved clinician productivity, and...
A guest expert explains why generative AI has largely stalled in health care and argues that agentic AI—focused on automating workflows and driving action—offers a more practical path to measurable ROI, improved clinician productivity, and...
A guest expert explains why...
03/30/2026
First Report Managed Care
MANAGED CARE Q&A
03/26/2026
Abby Reynolds, PharmD
In this interview, a guest expert explains why emotional readiness—not motivation or access alone—often determines whether patients can successfully initiate and persist on specialty therapies.
In this interview, a guest expert explains why emotional readiness—not motivation or access alone—often determines whether patients can successfully initiate and persist on specialty therapies.
In this interview, a guest...
03/26/2026
First Report Managed Care
PIPELINE PROJECTIONS
03/26/2026
Roy Moore
Roy Moore outlines how a rapidly expanding atopic dermatitis pipeline is intensifying competition, reshaping payer strategies, and raising the bar for new therapies.
Roy Moore outlines how a rapidly expanding atopic dermatitis pipeline is intensifying competition, reshaping payer strategies, and raising the bar for new therapies.
Roy Moore outlines how a rapidly...
03/26/2026
First Report Managed Care
MANAGED CARE Q&A
03/26/2026
Allison Oakes, PhD
A guest expert explains why specialty drugs dominating US spending is forcing payers to rethink benefit design, oncology strategy, and biosimilar adoption to control costs and improve value.
A guest expert explains why specialty drugs dominating US spending is forcing payers to rethink benefit design, oncology strategy, and biosimilar adoption to control costs and improve value.
A guest expert explains why...
03/26/2026
First Report Managed Care
ALH
Videos
03/12/2026
Amanda L. Hernandez, MD, PhD
In the second part of this interview, Amanda Hernandez, MD, PhD, examines the role and limitations of Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL)  and other outcome measures in myasthenia gravis, emphasizing the importance of...
In the second part of this interview, Amanda Hernandez, MD, PhD, examines the role and limitations of Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL)  and other outcome measures in myasthenia gravis, emphasizing the importance of...
In the second part of this...
03/12/2026
First Report Managed Care
ALH
Videos
03/12/2026
Amanda L. Hernandez, MD, PhD
In this interview, Amanda Hernandez, MD, PhD, discusses the evolving general myasthenia gravis (gMG) treatment landscape, highlighting the shift toward more targeted immunologic therapies, the challenges of step therapy, and the need for...
In this interview, Amanda Hernandez, MD, PhD, discusses the evolving general myasthenia gravis (gMG) treatment landscape, highlighting the shift toward more targeted immunologic therapies, the challenges of step therapy, and the need for...
In this interview, Amanda...
03/12/2026
First Report Managed Care
NSCLC, Oncology Coverage, Oncology Access
Videos
02/02/2026
Narjust Florez, MD
In this interview, Narjust Florez, MD, discusses how subcutaneous amivantamab from the PALOMA-3 study may improve patient experience, clinic workflow, and treatment adherence while highlighting ongoing unmet needs and real-world...
In this interview, Narjust Florez, MD, discusses how subcutaneous amivantamab from the PALOMA-3 study may improve patient experience, clinic workflow, and treatment adherence while highlighting ongoing unmet needs and real-world...
In this interview, Narjust...
02/02/2026
First Report Managed Care