UAB Synopsis, Vol. 26, No. 44, December 10, 2007

Research at UAB on the safety and effectiveness of new therapeutics for inflammatory, arthritic, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) will continue with a $3.8 million grant renewal for the UAB Deep South MSD Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services.

CERTs Principal Investigator and Director Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc, says, “At a time when there is increasing scrutiny over the safe and cost-effective use of drugs, medical devices, and biologics, our mission is very important. Our many talented researchers throughout UAB and within CERTs make this mission possible.”

Dr. Saag is professor of medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology and of epidemiology in the School of Public Health. He is a member of the UAB Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center and a scientist and group leader at the UAB Center for Metabolic Bone Disease.

UAB was one of the original 5 national CERTs funded in 2000 to collect and provide treatment information to practitioners, insurers, policy makers, and patients. Currently there are 14 CERTs, with UAB’s center the only one targeting musculoskeletal disorders. The MSD CERTs involve multidisciplinary researchers from public and private research institutions to identify variations in the use of MSD therapeutics and explore causes for variations in physicians’ practices by examining the best scientific evidence and characteristics of providers, health care systems, patients, and communities.

The UAB center renewal allows continuation of research aimed at eliminating treatment disparities among minority communities where MSDs are prevalent. The center offers training and education to physicians and other health care professionals as well as community outreach programs. Dr. Saag says, “We emphasize evidence-based guidelines, quality of care indicators, and peer performance in the educational tools we offer for MSD treatments. Our overall goal is to improve the standard of care for MSD patients.”