Tag: hydroxychloroquine

Brigham Clinicians Help Develop COVID-19 Clinical Guidance

“Who knew that rheumatology patients would be right in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis?”

This question was posed by rheumatologist Karen H. Costenbader, MD, MPH, director of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Lupus Program and chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council for the Lupus Foundation of America. In these roles, she has found herself at the center of the controversy around the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and other rheumatology medications in COVID-19. Read More

Rheumatologists as Patient Advocates in the COVID-19 Era

As of early May 2020, the United States had 1.19 million confirmed coronavirus cases and nearly 70,000 deaths due to COVID-19. In the urgent quest for therapeutic solutions, some have looked to antimalarial medications such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).

A recent paper in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases argues that rheumatologists as well as “researchers and patient partners must advocate for the appropriate distribution and use of HCQ, as millions of people with rheumatic diseases worldwide depend on HCQ to control disease activity and maintain quality of life.” Read More

Setting the Record Straight About Hydroxychloroquine, NSAIDs and COVID-19

As the scope of the coronavirus pandemic broadens, it is only natural for people to look to the scientific and research communities for solutions. In recent weeks, however, the thirst for viable treatment options has contributed to drug shortages and misinformation for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Two cases in point involve hydroxychloroquine and ibuprofen. Laura L. Tarter, MD, and Daniel Hal Solomon, MD, MPH, of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity offer their perspectives on each of these issues, which carry significant implications for rheumatic care during this health crisis. Read More

ACR President Ellen Gravallese, MD, on the Organization’s Response to COVID-19

Last fall, Ellen M. Gravallese, MD, was named chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and president of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). In these roles, she is overseeing the response of the division and the ACR to the alarming spread of the novel coronavirus.

“The ACR has taken a very proactive stance to try to address COVID-19,” Dr. Gravallese said. “We understand how difficult this pandemic has been for rheumatologists in caring and making the best decisions for their patients while at the same time limiting community exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus as much as possible. We hope the work we are doing at the ACR will provide immediate assistance to physicians in these efforts.” Read More