EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH RA: THE ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENTS AND PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES
Josef S. Smolen, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology
Medical University of Vienna
Hietzing Hospital
Vienna, Austria
Dr. Smolen has been on the advisory board for scientific information of Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Centocor, Inc., F. Hoffman LaRoche Ltd, Schering-Plough Corporation, UCB S.A., and Wyeth. He has also received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffman LaRoche Ltd, Schering-Plough Corporation, UCB S.A., and Wyeth.

TRANSLATING CLINICAL TRIALS INTO PRACTICE
Vibeke Strand, MD, FACP, FACR
Clinical Professor, Adjunct
Division of Immunology and Rheumatology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, California
Dr. Strand has served on the advisory board for scientific purposes for Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Can-Fite Biopharma Ltd., Centocor, Inc., Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc., Crescendo Bioscience, Inc., Cypress Bioscience, Inc., Euro-Diagnostics BV, F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd, Fibrogen, Inc., Forest Laboratories, Inc., Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Incyte Corporation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., NicOx Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Schering-Plough Corporation, UCB S.A., and Wyeth. She has been a consultant in clinical trial development and regulatory affairs for Abbott Laboratories, Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc. Allergan, Inc., Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca, Bexel Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Can-Fite Biopharma Ltd., Centocor, Inc., Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc., Crescendo Bioscience, Inc., Cypress Bioscience, Inc., Euro-Diagnostics BV, Fibrogen, Inc., F. Hoffman LaRoche Ltd., Forest Laboratories, Inc., Genentech, Inc., Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Incyte Corporation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Laboratorios Almirall, S.A., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Logical Therapeutics, Inc., Lux Biosciences, Inc., Medimmune, LLC, Merck Serono, S.A., Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk S/A, Nuon Therapeutics, Inc., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Procter & Gamble, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Schering-Plough Corporation, Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co., Ltd., UCB S.A., Wyeth, and XDx, Inc.

This activity is designed for rheumatologists. Internists and other health care professionals who provide care and support to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may also participate.

Despite the availability of clinical trial results documenting the efficacy of biologic agents and the availability of treatment guidelines, clinicians struggle with interpreting clinical evidence. This has resulted in an inconsistent application of clinical trial results and practice guidelines in a way that can be translated into beneficial care for patients. While the publication of guidelines and important study findings have, in some instances, resulted in changes in prescribing practices, other studies suggest that guidelines are not routinely followed. It has been suggested that factors such as the credibility of content, the credibility of source, and dissemination strategies are important factors for the implementation of prescribing recommendations. Thus, important new information needs to be presented in an effective manner and targeted toward the needs of community-based physicians. This is a critical step before this group of health care providers will incorporate clinical evidence into routine practice to address patients' needs.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be better able to:

• Translate the results of clinical trials into routine clinical practice

• Describe the components of and the differences between outcome parameters used in clinical trials

• Identify the importance of assessing structural damage and patient-related outcomes in patients with RA

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 the American Academy of CME and Alliance Medical Communications. The American Academy of CME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of CME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Term of Approval: September 21, 2009 - September 20, 2010.

Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Inc.