Activity Overview

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. 

This activity includes all cases:

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

Virtual Lupus Clinic Series

This activity is part of a series. See the other activities in the series below.

• Virtual Lupus Clinic: All Cases
• Virtual Lupus Clinic – Case 1
• Virtual Lupus Clinic – Case 2
• Virtual Lupus Clinic – Case 3
• Virtual Lupus Clinic – Case 4

Registration is complimentary.

Target Audience

Non-rheumatologist physicians, primary care providers, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses.

Learning Objectives

Case 1

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
• Identify other common disease processes that may mimic lupus

Case 2

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

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

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

CE & MOC Information

CME

ACCME Accreditation Statement

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

See the ACR's CME Mission Statement. For more information, download the AMA PRA Booklet.

AMA Designation Statement

The American College of Rheumatology designates this enduring material 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 activity.

CME credit must be claimed by February 1, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET.

MOC

MOC Recognition Statement: American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)

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. 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. 

After submitting a reflective statement with key takeaways from the activity, MOC points will be applied for ABIM diplomates to the ABIM diplomate number and date of birth provided when you registered. Points are sent nightly to ACCME and then transferred to the ABIM Physician Portal. Please allow at least 48 hours for points to display in the portal.

MOC points must be claimed by February 1, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET.

Financial Relationship Disclosures

ACR Disclosure Statement