Welcome to RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers. In this fourth episode of our GCA Fireside Chat series, host Amanda Mixon is joined by nurse practitioner Naomi Amudala and clinical pharmacist Jessica Farrell to explore the evolving role of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Building on insights from the SELECT-GCA study, the discussion dives into how JAK inhibition may fit into clinical practice—covering patient selection, safety monitoring, and the logistical challenges of integrating new therapies into care. Our expert guests share real-world perspectives from both academic and community settings, addressing key considerations such as prednisone tapering, insurance barriers, lab monitoring, vaccination timing, and cost concerns for Medicare patients. Whether you are an APP, pharmacist, or rheumatology provider, this episode offers practical guidance on when to consider JAK inhibitors, how to navigate access issues, and what to watch for when managing patients with GCA. Stay tuned for the final installment of the series, where we’ll take a closer look at the safety data of upadacitinib and its implications for clinical decision-making.

In this educational video, Heather Mambretti, PA-C with over 13 years of rheumatology experience, explains how sarilumab is dosed and what patients can expect during administration for both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). She discusses the convenience of the subcutaneous auto-injector, which allows patients to self-administer at home, and reviews the standard dosing regimen of 200 mg every two weeks with no loading dose required. Heather also addresses how to adjust to a lower 150 mg dose in the rare event of side effects such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or hyperlipidemia. Patients will also learn what to expect with potential injection site reactions and why the first dose is often guided in the office before transitioning to home use. This overview provides practical insights into sarilumab dosing, patient support, and real-world considerations for managing RA and PMR. For more resources, visit the RhAPP website or download the RhAPP app.

#Rheumatology #RA #PMR #Sarilumab #APPeducation #PatientCare #RheumatoidArthritis #PolymyalgiaRheumatica #RheumatologyAPPs #AutoInjector

Starting a new biologic can be overwhelming for patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this medication review, Heather Mambretti, PA-C, shares the key educational points she discusses when initiating sarilumab. She explains treatment goals—including reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and, in RA, aiming for remission—while also highlighting why sarilumab is the first and only biologic approved for PMR (FDA approval in 2023) and its established role in RA since 2017. Heather provides insight into the IL-6 pathway, how sarilumab can yield rapid improvement, and what patients should know about safety considerations, infection risks, and long-term use either in combination with methotrexate or as monotherapy. She also sets realistic expectations around treatment timelines, noting that most patients remain on therapy for at least 12–18 months before tapering is considered.

For more rheumatology education and patient resources, visit RhAPP.org or download the RhAPP ACE App.

#Sarilumab #RheumatoidArthritis #PMR #PolymyalgiaRheumatica #Rheumatology #BiologicTherapy #Kevzara