Program Information

The Virtual Lupus Clinic is a four-part series with case-based learning to help non-rheumatologists recognize, refer, and manage patients with lupus in conjunction with a rheumatologist. You will virtually examine four patients, each presenting with different symptoms, decide which labs to order, build the differential diagnosis, and decide next steps for treating the patient, including appropriate referrals, if needed. 

With the Lupus Series: Virtual Clinic, you receive the following:

• Four cases
• Multiple-choice questions with in-depth answer rationales
• Image and educational links
• Up to 4.00 ABIM MOC points and 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ with a passing score of 70% or higher

Target Audience

Non-rheumatologist physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

Case 1: A 40-year-old Asian female with facial rash, hair loss, fatigue, myalgias and a history of finger color changes in cold weather.

Upon completion of this online enduring activity, the successful learner will be able to:

• Identify classic and atypical presentations of lupus, focusing on patient history, signs, symptoms, and physical examination findings
• Identify and interpret lab studies typically utilized in a new patient workup sent when evaluating a new patient with lupus
• Effectively communicate results of initial evaluation to patients, including strategies to ensure effective handoff to a specialist, if appropriate
• Identify other common disease processes that may mimic lupus
  
  

Case 2: A 27-year-old Hispanic male with a history of thrombocytopenia and recurrent pleurisy coming in with malar rash, pleural friction rub concerning for pleurisy, and hand synovitis.

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify classic and atypical presentations of lupus, focusing on patient history, signs, symptoms, and physical examination findings
• Identify and interpret lab studies typically utilized in a new patient workup sent when evaluating a new patient with lupus

• Provide self-management and health maintenance education to patients

Case 3: A 34-year-old Caucasian female with new onset HTN, pitting edema, weight gain, scarring alopecia, scarring rash on the nose, arthritis and fatigue.

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify classic and atypical presentations of lupus, focusing on patient history, signs, symptoms, and physical examination findings
• Identify and interpret lab studies typically utilized in a new patient workup sent when evaluating a new patient with lupus
• Effectively communicate results of initial evaluation to patients, including strategies to ensure effective handoff to a specialist, if appropriate
• Recall when to properly refer a patient to rheumatology in a timely manner

Case 4: A 49-year-old African American female who presents with oral and nasal ulcers, arthritis and fatigue. 

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify classic and atypical presentations of lupus, focusing on patient history, signs, symptoms, and physical examination findings
• Identify and interpret lab studies typically utilized in a new patient workup sent when evaluating a new patient with lupus
• Recognize signs and symptoms that may indicate a lupus flare
• Use high-yield lupus-specific questions and physical examination findings to help identify if a patient is in an active lupus flare and how to initiate appropriate flare treatment while awaiting a rheumatology referral
• Provide counseling and anticipatory guidance for patients in whom lupus is suspected and an initial referral to rheumatology is made

Registration Information

Click Enroll to register for the full Virtual Lupus Clinic curriculum or you can enroll in individual activities below.

Registration is complimentary.

Virtual Lupus Clinic Activities

• Case 1
• Case 2
• Case 3
• Case 4

CME Information

Accreditation Statement                                                   

The American College of Rheumatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement                                                   

The ACR designates this online activity for a maximum of 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activities.

MOC Statement

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 4.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

By completing this activity you provide the ACR permission to share completion data with the ACCME and the certifying board(s).

Faculty and Disclosures

ACR Disclosure Statement    

1. Petros Efthimiou, MD (Planner) – Springer⁷, Uptodate⁷, Pfizer⁵, Amgen⁵, Sanofi⁵, Kiniksa⁵
2. M. Brad Nelson, MD, MPH (Planner) – None
3. B. Anne Eberhard, MBBS (Planner) – None
4. Parastoo Fazeli, MD (Planner) – None
5. Schartess Culpepper Pace, MD (Planner) – None
6. Nina Ramessar, MD (Planner) – GlaxoSmithKline⁸
7. Kimberly DeQuattro, MD (Reviewer) – Kyverna Pharmaceuticals⁵, GlaxoSmithKline⁵
8. Shivani Garg, MD (Reviewer) – None