CME Study Center
Introduction

S kin & Aging is proud to bring you this latest installment in its CME series. This series consists of regular CME activities that qualify you for two category 1 physician credit hours. As a reader of Skin & Aging, this course is brought to you free of charge — you aren’t required to pay a processing fee. Connective tissue diseases (CTD) are a group of clinical disorders that have an autoimmune etiology. This article focuses on lupus erythematosus (LE), dermatomyositis and scleroderma, as these are the diseases most likely to present to your office. Basil M. Hantash, M.D., and David F. Fiorentino, M.D., Ph.D., provide an overview of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. At the end of this article, you’ll find a 10-question exam in a PDF. Mark your responses in the designated area, and fax it to HMP Communications at (610) 560-0501. I hope this CME contributes to your clinical skills. Amy McMichael, M.D. CME Editor Amy McMichael, M.D., is Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology, Director of the Hair Disorders Clinic and Residency Program Director at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Principal Faculty: Basil M. Hantash, M.D., and David F. Fiorentino, M.D., Ph.D.. Method of Participation: Physicians may receive two category 1 credits by reading the article on p. 48 to 55 and successfully answering the questions found on p. 55 to 56. A score of 70% is required for passing. Submit your answers and evaluation via fax or log on to our Web site at www.skinandaging.com. Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 2 hours Date of Original Release: September 2004 Expiration Date: September 2005 This activity has been planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME essentials. Accreditation Statement: NACCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Designation Statement: NACCME designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of two category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity. Disclosure Policy: All faculty participating in Continuing Medical Education programs sponsored by The North American Center for Continuing Medical Education are expected to disclose to the meeting audience any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentation. Faculty Disclosures: Drs. Hantash and Fiorentino have disclosed that they have no significant financial relationship with any organization that could be perceived as a real or apparent conflict of interest in the contexts of the subject of his article. Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this educational activity, the participants should be able to: • describe the common cutaneous findings in patients with lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and scleroderma • identify relevant cutaneous signs and laboratory abnormalities that enable an assessment of risk of internal disease in patients presenting with connective tissue diseases • Describe strategies for managing cutaneous disease in patients with lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and scleroderma. Target Audience: Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons, Internists Commercial Support: None