Practical Pain Management reports on new American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommendations that provide clinicians with data and background to help manage reproductive health in patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Lead author of the guidelines Lisa R. Sammaritano, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, explains that this guideline is paramount because “it is the first official guidance addressing the intersection of rheumatology and obstetrics and gynecology”.

In a Q&A, Dr. Sammaritano states that rheumatologists should address reproductive health issues with patients during initial visits and that pregnancy should be planned ideally during periods of quiet disease.

“We expect to have more data - hopefully in all areas of the guideline - over time. As with all ACR guidelines, the plan is to update the reproductive health guideline periodically to include the newest information,” adds Dr. Sammaritano.

Read the full article at PracticalPainManagement.com.

Additional coverage: Medpagetoday.com, Creakyjoints.org