Oct. 12 is recognized as World Arthritis Day, drawing attention to a disease that affects over 500 million people globally. In the United States, arthritis is the leading cause of disability, impacting nearly one in four Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Benjamin Smith, associate dean of the School of Physician Assistant Practice at Florida State University’s College of Medicine, has more than 25 years of clinical experience in rheumatology. He integrates his clinical work with education and research aimed at improving care for patients with arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.
Smith explained that arthritis and autoimmune diseases are not limited to older adults. “Arthritis and autoimmune diseases can affect people at any age, including children. Many families have to travel hours to reach a pediatric rheumatologist because there are so few. On the other end of the spectrum, older adults also face rheumatic diseases that appear later in life,” he said. He emphasized that these conditions last a lifetime and come with both direct and indirect costs, highlighting the importance of strengthening care across all ages.
Regarding advances in treatment, Smith noted: “Treatments are sharper and more effective than they were even a few decades ago, though we still don’t have cures for most rheumatic diseases. The key is making sure patients have access to the best possible care. This means continuing to refine therapies, expand the health care workforce and ensure patients can maintain their function and quality of life.” He added, “Ultimately, it’s about helping people not only do what they need to do, but also what they want to do.”
Smith recently co-authored the 2024 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Lupus Nephritis. Speaking about updates in these guidelines compared to previous versions, he said: “The guidelines reflect the tremendous progress we have made in treating lupus nephritis. One key takeaway is the emphasis on combination therapy — using multiple treatment approaches alongside careful monitoring and judicious use of corticosteroids. We also now have stronger screening tools for diagnosis and long-term monitoring.” He further stated: “Importantly, the guidelines incorporated perspectives from rheumatologists, nephrologists and patients themselves, which makes the recommendations much more applicable in real-world practice.”
Discussing training and policy implications for rheumatology care access, Smith said: “One major priority is growing the rheumatology workforce. We need more physician assistants working in rheumatology, and the data shows that number is trending upward. The next step is to determine how to maximize their skills based on training, expertise and scope of practice so patients with rheumatic diseases have better access to timely, effective care.”
Looking ahead at Florida State University projects related to arthritis care delivery, Smith shared: “I am very excited about FSU Health and the mission of the College of Medicine to reach underserved communities in North Florida and across the state. While arthritis is just one part of that, the broader goal is the same: improving access, optimizing treatment and making sure our patients and communities benefit from advances in medicine.”
