RHEUMATOLOGY FOR THE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN 2010

10-Night Roman Empire from Rome, Italy

Purpose: Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to: minimize NSAID gastropathy; to manage osteoarthritis patients effectively; to identify appropriate patients for joint aspiration, interpret synovial fluid analysis, and perform injections with corticosteroids/viscosupplementation; recognize the importance of early diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis; identify the pros/cons of biological treatment of your patients with rheumatoid arthritis; recognize in your patients the mimics of vasculitis and the rheumatic syndromes associated with neoplasia, endocrinopathies and renal failure. Recognize your patients at risk for Osteoporotic fractures and minimize the effects of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis; anticipate peri-operative problems in the rheumatic disease patient; and evaluate and manage effectively the patient with chronic myofascial pain/fibromyalgia applying for disability benefits.