In designing the study questions and methodology at the outset of this report, the EPC consulted several technical and content experts. Broad expertise and perspectives were sought. Divergent and conflicted opinions are common and perceived as healthy scientific discourse that results in a thoughtful, relevant systematic review. Therefore, in the end, study questions, design, methodologic approaches, and/or conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of individual technical and content experts.

Technical Experts must disclose any financial conflicts of interest greater than $5,000 and any other relevant business or professional conflicts of interest. Because of their unique clinical or content expertise, individuals with potential conflicts may be retained. The TOO and the EPC work to balance, manage, or mitigate any potential conflicts of interest identified.

The list of Technical Experts who participated in reviewing the report follows:

• Kelli Allen, Ph.D.^*
  Research Professor of Medicine
  Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Immunology
  University of North Carolina School of Medicine
  Chapel Hill, NC
  Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care
  Durham VA Health Care System
  Durham, NC
• Rowland Hazard, M.D.^*
  Professor of Orthopedics and of Medicine
  Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College
  Hanover, NH
• Charles Helmick III, M.D.^*
  Senior Medical Epidemiologist
  National Center for Chronic Disease
  Prevention and Health Promotion
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Atlanta, GA
• Kim Jones, Ph.D, F.N.P., FAAN^*
  Professor, School of Nursing
  Oregon Health & Science University
  Portland, OR
• Erin Krebs, M.D., M.P.H.
  Center for Disease Outcomes Research
  Minneapolis VA Healthcare System
  Minneapolis, MN
• Robert McLean, M.D.
  Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology
  Yale School of Medicine
  New Haven, CT
• Robert Nicholson, Ph.D., L.C.P., FAHS^*
  Director, Department of Quality & Safety
  Mercy Health System
  St. Louis, MO
• Ellen Rosenquist, M.D.
  Assistant Professor
  Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
  Cleveland Clinic
  Cleveland, OH
• James Witter, M.D., Ph.D., FACR
  National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease
  National Institute of Health
  Bethesda, MD

Footnotes

*

Provided input on draft report.