Diana Girnita MD, PhD Founder of Rheumatologist Oncall

                                     Tip of the Week in Rheumatology                Vitamin D deficiency (<20mg/mL) was recently associated with                                          Increased chance of having severe COVID-19 disease                     Increased inflammatory response                     Increased morbidity and mortality Access Full Article:                Make sure your patients are not vitamin D deficient.                               ...

  TIP OF THE WEEK IN RHEUMATOLOGY In patients that have increased cardiovascular risk what is the alternative to NSAIDs? Please advise your patients to use acetaminophen to replace ibuprofen/advil, naproxen/ aleve. If no contraindication, a dose up to 2400mg/ day is safe and will achieve good pain control. Just to use it scheduled for a short period of time. If you need any help,  please consider referring your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com

  TIP OF THE WEEK IN RHEUMATOLOGY NSAIDs are great medications to use for a short period of time. Please advise your patients about the fact that NSAIDs increase their cardiovascular risk.   Many patients that use NSAIDs continuously for one year will double their risk of heart attacks and heart failure. If you need any help,  please consider referring your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com

  TIP OF THE WEEK IN RHEUMATOLOGY Did you know that NAPROXEN has the safest cardiovascular profile ? In contrsct, Diclofenac has the worse cardiovascular profile ?   Many patients that use NSAIDs continuously for one year will double their risk of heart attacks and heart failure. If you need any help,  please consider referring your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com

  TIP OF THE WEEK IN RHEUMATOLOGY Management of GOUT can be confusing at times! If the patient has one big joint with a gout attack it is better to inject with steroids than give steroids orally. The effect is quicker and the patient will be forever thankful to you! If you need any help,  please consider to refer your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com

  TIP OF THE WEEK  IN  RHEUMATOLOGY Management of GOUT can be confusing at times! If no contraindication, start a urate-lowering agent (allopurinol/ febuxostat) at the time of their gout attack. If the patient has radiographic damage, tophi, and >= 2 flares/ year there is an indication to start therapy to lower their uric acid. If you need any help,  please consider referring your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com

  TIP OF THE WEEK IN RHEUMATOLOGY Management of GOUT can be confusing at times! After you initiate a urate-lowering agent (allopurinol/ febuxostat) DON'T forget to offer prophylaxis . Many times, at the beginning of the treatment, patients will develop many flare-ups. You can use  -NSAIDs - colchicine -prednisone tapers Whichever is appropriate for your patient. If you need any help,  please consider referring your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com

  TIP OF THE WEEK  IN  RHEUMATOLOGY Obesity is often linked to higher cardiovascular risk, hypertension, and diabetes. Don't forget about GOUT! Gout is also frequent in obese patients.  To prevent gout discuss with your patients the importance of losing weight and controlling their DIET. If you need any help,  please consider referring your patients to Dr. Girnita's online practice. Rheumatologist Oncall Office phone: 1-650-479-4076 drg@rheumatologistoncall.com https://dianagirnitamd.com