Rheumatology Commons^™

When Tnf Inhibition Backfires: A Rare Case Of Etanercept Induced Pyoderma Gangrenosum, Don Woody, Julio Paoli-Gonzalez, Adam Grunbaum

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap: Early Recognition And Interim Management Of Silica-Associated Rheumatoid Arthritis In Resource-Limited Primary Care Settings, Sukhneet Bhullar, Howard J. Tan, Alaa Baqer, Cathlen Delva

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Ivig As Salvage Therapy In Refractory Antisynthetase Syndrome-Associated Ild: A Three-Case Series, Shine Vazhappilly, Julio Paoli-Gonzalez, Jose Herazo-Maya

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica Secondary To Pembrolizumab, Farigol Hakem Zadeh, Nikita Shah, Miguel E. Rodriguez

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Silent Signals: Endocarditis Disguised As Low-Back Pain In A Rheumatology Clinic, Ahmad Alomari, Miguel Rodriguez

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Sarcoidosis At A Combined Rheumatology-Pulmonary Clinic, Megan Schermerhorn, Md, Julianna Desmarais, Md

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by formation of small clusters of inflammatory cells that form granulomas. Heterogenous and typically involves multiple organ systems with varying degrees of morbidity and mortality. Poorly defined treatment landscape. The purpose of this study was to characterize a cohort of sarcoidosis patients in a combined rheumatology-pulmonary clinic according to organ involvement and treatment over 5 years. Discussion: •Single center academic study of a that is the first of its kind. •Data highlights complexity and heterogeneity of patients with sarcoidosis and utility of combined rheumatology – pulmonary clinic. •65.3% of patients exhibited …

Beyond Dry Eyes: Connecting The Dots Between Primary Sjogren’S Syndrome And Interstitial Lung Disease, Kathryn Weston, Tiffany Laitano, Gabriel Martello, Robert Digiovanni, Salah Al-Andary

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Sarcoidosis At A Combined Rheumatology- Pulmonary Clinic, Megan Schermerhorn, Md, Julianna Desmarais, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Digital Landscape: A Survey On Social Media Engagement Among Rheumatology Fellows, Sathvik Saineni, Richa Purohit, Reanne Mathai, Rajan Sambandan, Richard M. Perez, Neha Bhanusali

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Landscape Of Artificial Intelligence In Rheumatology: Insights, Perceptions, And Future Considerations From A Survey Of United States Rheumatology Fellows, Sathvik Saineni, Richa Purohit, Reanne Mathai, Rajan Sambandan, Richard M. Perez, Neha Bhanusali

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

A Vexing Case: A Newly Discovered Autoinflammatory Disease, Ashley Edwards, Md, Caroline Mcculley, Md

Poster Presentations

Introduction: Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) Syndrome is a recently recognized adult-onset autoinflammatory disease that can lead to potentially lifethreatening multi-system inflammation with estimated prevalence of up to 1 in 5,000 males over the age of 50. Given its significant morbidity and mortality and high prevalence, increased awareness of this condition is of foremost importance. Herein we outline a case of VEXAS syndrome. Case Presentation: Mr. N is a 73-year-old male with a past medical history significant for hypertension and recent episode of uveitis who first presented to the hospital for significant unintentional weight loss, fevers, and abdominal …

Bone Marrow Transplant For Macrophage Activation Syndrome In Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis​, Shailly Gaur, Michael J. Holland, J Allyson Hays, Ibrahim A. Ahmed

Posters

7yo w/ systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis who developed macrophage activation syndrome and interstitial lung disease non-responsive to steroids, immunosuppression, and directed biologics with significant adverse reactions who required chemotherapy and eventual bone marrow transplant leading to complete resolution of symptoms.

Unveiling The Mystery: Paraneoplastic Syndrome Masquerading As Skin Thickening And Arthritis, Megan Schermerhorn, Md, Qian Leng, Md, Atish Dey, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Metformin-Induced Giant Cell Arteritis: An Uncommon Case Of Drug-Induced Vasculitis, Christine Angeles, Wendy Lee

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

Why A High Titer Rheumatoid Factor And Joint Pain Should Not Automatically Translate Into A Diagnosis Of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Saba Ashraf, Julio Gonzalez-Paoli

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

Improving Recombinant Zoster Vaccination Rates In Patients Receiving Biologic Therapy, Kathlyn Camargo, Taylor Kann, Marilyn Mosquera, Ravi Shahu, Ariail Schmitz, Kathleen Mccabe, Ashwini Komarla

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma, Adrian Lugo, Andrew Cappiello, Nemer Dabage, Guruswamy Ramamurthy

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

• Scleroderma and systemic sclerosis are autoimmune phenomena that can cause progressive and permanent damage to the organs of the human body.
• They can cause fibrosis of various internal organs, including the kidneys, lungs, GI tract, and heart
• Rarely, the only manifestation of systemic sclerosis is severe hypertension with renal failure, a subset known as systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma.

Vitamin D Deficiency And Perceived Pain, Theodore Korty, Adam Grunbaum, Ken Baxa, Olu Oyesanmi

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to contribute to the onset of musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and fatigue (1, 2). Deficient levels of calcium phosphate have been linked to musculoskeletal pain associated with vitamin D deficiency (3). Low levels of calcium phosphate may result in an inadequately mineralized bone matrix, and normalization of vitamin D levels should help to diminish symptoms of pain by correcting suboptimal mineralization of bone matrix (3). One prior study of patients who underwent orthopedic procedures (including treatment of vertebral compression fractures, Colle’s fractures, hip & knee arthroplasty, ligament repair, and meniscal repair), showed that 44% (n …

Teriparatide And Its Bone Healing Power, Aneeta J. Joseph, Jesus L. Penabad, Antonio Pinero-Pilona

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Teriparatide, a parathyroid hormone analog, is an important anabolic agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to increase bone mineral density in osteoporotic patients. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium, phosphate, and active vitamin-D metabolites. The amino terminal peptide fragments of PTH has been known to increase bone mass and are being used in clinical practice for osteoporosis management.3 Teriparatide increases bone density of lumbar spine and femoral neck, and decreases the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures both in postmenopausal women and men. It is also known to prevent fractures in patients with osteoporosis and promote healing of …

Implementing Treat To Target Approach In The Care Of Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Julia G. Harris, Jamie Holland, Emily Fox, Leslie Favier, Ashley M. Cooper

Posters

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic inflammatory disease seen in pediatric rheumatology. Despite advances in biologic therapy, many children with JIA will experience morbidity. Treat to Target is a treatment paradigm that involves setting a target of disease activity, using shared decision making, and incorporating clinical decision support. Our clinic aimed to set a treatment target on 50% of eligible JIA patients by December 31, 2019.

Collaboration Between Rheumatology Clinic And Specialty Pharmacy To Positively Impact Patient Experience And Hospital Stewardship, Alaina Linafelter, Julia G. Harris, Robert Herr, Stephanie Quinn, Ashley M. Cooper

Posters

Biologic medications are commonly utilized to treat pediatric rheumatic diseases. Being high-cost, most third-party payers require dispensing through a specialty pharmacy. Children's Mercy Hospital Specialty Pharmacy (CMH SP) started acceting patients in March 2015.

The number of patients benefited by the superior service of CMH SP has risen steadily, leading to high patient satisfaction and financial benefits for the hospital.

Improving Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates In High Risk Patients Across Multiple Specialty Divisions, Rachel Moran, Julia G. Harris, Claire Olsen, Rana El Feghaly, Liset Olarte, Douglas Blowey, Luke A. Harris

Posters

Pediatric patients with deficient immune systems or certain chronic medical conditions have an increased risk of acquiring invasive pneumococcal disease.

The 23-valent pneumococcal (PPSV23) vaccine provides protection against 23 pneumococcal serotypes and is recommended for patients aged 2 years or older who are high-risk for invasive pneumococcal disease.

Unfortunately, many high-risk patients are not properly vaccinated due to lack of provider knowledge or understanding of accountability between primary care and specialty providers.

The goal of this project was to improve PPSV23 vaccination rates by 10-20% across multiple Children's Mercy Kansas City specialty divisions.

Medication Education In The Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic, Ashley M. Cooper, Julia G. Harris

Posters

No abstract provided.

Vitamin D Supplementation And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Pamela Rangen

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are prone to hypovitaminosis D because of their photosensitivity.

• Vitamin D has beneficial effects not only on bone metabolism but also on the function of the immune system.

• Vitamin D levels depend on many variables, including sun exposure, age, ethnicity, body mass index, use of medications and supplements.

• Patients with SLE avoid the sun because of photosensitive rashes and potential for disease flare, so adequate oral supplementation is critical.

• In addition, to the traditional known metabolic activities, vitamin D has been shown to modulate the immune system, and its …

Pfapa: A Periodic Febrile Syndrome Afflicting Children, Jessica Lahti

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA).

• Auto-inflammatory disorder occurring in affected children every 3-8 weeks.

• Onset around age 2; lasting into second decade of life.

• A current pathophysiologic theory is PFAPA is a disorder of the innate immune system involving interleukins, chemoattractants, and cytokines that stimulating the inflammatory response causing symptoms associated with PFAPA.

• Early diagnosis of PFAPA may help prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

• Biomarker CD64, galectin-3 and the MPV may be useful in the diagnosis of PFAPA along with other laboratory values during the febrile attack period …

Division Of Rheumatology New Frontiers, Debra Bergman, John Keenan

New Frontiers

Table of Contents

• Nebraska Arthritis Outcomes Research Center puts UNMC on cutting edge
• Medical education: A fresh perspective
• The reader
• Lupus study becomes international affair
• The puzzle of ‘the loss of self-tolerance’
• An icon in rheumatology
• Registry, research offer insights into RA risk factors
• On the RISE
• RAIN man
• A top-tier team player
• Faculty Publications & Research Awards