Release Date: June 2012
Expiration Date: June 2013
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Estimated time to complete the educational activity: 1 hour
This activity is jointly sponsored by Medical Education Resources and Haymarket Media, Inc.
Statement of Need: Renal involvement is a frequent and potential serious manifestation of system lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies in recent years have led to improved understanding of the pathogenesis and disease course of SLE-related lupus nephritis as well as new approaches to treating the condition. Clinicians involved in the care of patients with SLE-related lupus nephritis need to be aware of these advancements.
Target Audience: This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs ofnephrologists and others clinicians involved in the care of patients with lupus nephritis.
Educational Objectives: After completing the activity, the participant should be better able to:
- Describe the clinical course of different patterns of renal involvement in patients with SLE.
- Distinguish among the different lupus nephritis classes.
- Choose therapies appropriate to lupus nephritis class.
Accreditation Statement:This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Medical Education Resources (MER) and Haymarket Media, Inc. MER is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation: Medical Education Resources designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Medical Education Resources ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies conflicts of interest with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Conflicts are resolved by MER to ensure all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CME activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not a commercial interest.
The faculty reported the following financial relationships with commercial interests whose products or services may be mentioned in this CME activity:
| Name of Faculty | Reported Financial Relationship |
| Gerard B. Appel, MD | Grants/Research Support: Aspreva-Vifor, Genentech, Centacor. Consultant: Genentech, Centacor, Amgen, Pfizer Speakers’ Bureau: Genentech, Merck, Takeda, Genzyme Royalty: Up-To-Date |
| Alice Sue Appel, PhD | No financial relationships to disclose |
The content managers, Jody A. Charnow and Marina Galanakis, of Haymarket Media, Inc., and Victoria C. Smith, MD, of Medical Education Resources, have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest.
Method of Participation: There are no fees for participating in and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period June 2012 through June 2013, participants must: 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures, 2) study the educational activity, 3) complete the posttest and submit it online. Physicians may register at www.myCME.com/renalandurologynews, and 4) complete the evaluation form online.
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed post-test with a score of 70% or better.
