FOP: Enhancing Diagnosis and Management to Improve Patients’ Quality of Life

Target Audience
The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of the primary audience of orthopedists, bone specialists, rheumatologists, pediatric rheumatologists, and genetic counselors, and the secondary audience of PCPs, pediatricians, dermatologists, endocrinologists, occupational therapists, oncologists, general practice NPs and PAs, and specialist NPs and PAs.

Program Overview
Because fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or FOP, is exceedingly rare, even specialists such as orthopedists, endocrinologists, and rheumatologists can miss its early manifestations. The result may be missed opportunities for proper management, including avoidance of flare-up"inducing trauma. Specialists who see patients with FOP must have up-to-date knowledge regarding its cardinal signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and management.

Join a panel of clinical experts in FOP and a representative from the International FOP Association (IFOPA) to help ensure clinicians recognize FOP manifestations, make a timely diagnosis, and provide guideline-driven care. Panelists will discuss the early signs of FOP and evolving patient presentations as the disease progresses, the underlying pathophysiology and the role of activin A, and precautions that must be taken when providing routine care for FOP, including immunizations and dental care.

Education Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Recognize early hallmark signs and symptoms that may be conducive to a diagnosis of FOP
Describe the disease course of FOP, possible triggers for flare-ups, and their impacts on patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life
Summarize the underlying pathophysiology of FOP, including its genetic causes, the role of activin, and how it affects bone formation
Implement a management plan that includes trauma avoidance, medication, and rehabilitative and palliative care as the disease progresses
Explain strategies to reduce risk of flare-up during routine care visits, such as visits for immunization, injection, dental work, or surgery