In this Arthritis At Home, we are sharing this year’s #CRArthritis with Dr. Kayla Chubbs, a resident in the rheumatology program at Dalhousie University. She defines what immune checkpoint inhibitor is and how it is used as a therapy to treat multiple types of cancer. While treating the cancer, they can put your immune system into overdrive and as a result, cause inflammatory arthritis or worsen an already existing inflammatory arthritis.
Dr. Chubbs’ study looks at whether health care providers should use the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index to measure function in this group of patients. In this group of patients, it is challenging to balance the number of immune-suppressive medication as it can negatively impact cancer treatment so instead of treating to remission, health care providers usually treat to improve function.
About Dr. Kayla Chubbs
Dr. Kayla Chubbs is a resident in the rheumatology program at Dalhousie University. She completed medical school at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Internal Medicine residency at Dalhousie University. Following completion of her training she plans to work as rheumatologist in New Brunswick. Her research interests include rheumatic immune related adverse events and medical education.
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