Sterling West, MD

Professor Emeritus, Medicine-Rheumatology


FacultyPhoto
Medical School
  • MD, Emory University School of Medicine (1976)
Undergraduate School
  • BS, United States Military Academy (NY) (1972)
Internship
  • Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO (1977)
Residency
  • Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO, Chief Resident, Internal Medicine (1979)
Fellowships
  • National Capital Consortium (Walter Reed) Program, Rheumatology (1981)
Languages
English
Department
Medicine-Rheumatology

Professional Titles

  • Professor of Medicine

Recognitions

  • Master, American College of Physicians (2005)
  • Laureate, American College of Physicians (2008)
  • Full-time Faculty Physician of the Year Award, University of Colorado Hospital (2008)
  • Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award, American College of Rheumatology (2010)
  • Top Doctor in Denver, 5280 Magazine (2016)
    Voted a 5280 best doctor by my peers in response to the question, "Which physician would you trust to treat you and your family?" Has received this award each year since 2001.
  • Master, American College of Rheumatology (2015)
  • ACR Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award, American College of Rheumatology (2016)

Research Interests

Major area of research interest is in the pathophysiology and treatment of neuropsychiatric lupus. Additional areas of interest are metabolic bone disease and clinical trials.

Publications

  • Abstract 1574.Arth&Rheum 52(suppl);S589,2005
  • Fisher A et al. Anti Th/To positivity in a cohort of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. J Rheum
  • Fisher A et al. Unique characteristics of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease. Chest
  • West S. Rheumatic manifestations of gastrointestinal diseases. In McNally PJ(ed):GI/Liver Secrets, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2006:547-558
  • West S. The Nervous System. In Wallace D, Hahn B(eds): Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus, 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2006
  • West S. Systemic diseases in which arthritis is a feature. In Goldman L, Ausiello D(eds): Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 23rd ed.Philadelphia: Saunders, 2006
  • West S, Kotzin B. Sarcoidosis. In Hochberg M,etal (ed): Rheumatology 4e, London: Mosby, 2006
  • Edelstein C, Achenbach G, West S. Renal involvement in SLE. In Schrier R, Gottschalk C(ed): Diseases of the Kidney, 8th ed. Little,Brown& Co,2006
  • West S. Relapsing Polychondritis. In Harris J, Weisman M(ed): Head and Neck Manifestations of Systemic Diseases. 2006
  • Deane K, West S. Differential diagnosis of the crystal-induced arthropathies: acute monarthritis. In Wortman R et al(eds): Crystal-induced Arthropathies: Gout, Pseudogout, and Apatite-associated Syndromes.2006
  • Deane K West S. Effectiveness and safety of therapies in RA. Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2006
  • Deane K, West SG. Differential Diagnosis of Monoarticular Arthritis. In Wortmann R (ed): Crystal-Induced Arthropathies. Taylor&Francis Group, New York, 2006, pp135-156.
  • Fischer A. Meehan RT. Feghali-Bostwick CA. West SG. Brown KK. Unique characteristics of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease. [Journal Article] Chest. 130(4):976-81, 2006 Oct.
  • Fischer A. Pfalzgraf FJ. Feghali-Bostwick CA. Wright TM. Curran-Everett D. West SG. Brown KK. Anti-th/to-positivity in a cohort of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [Journal Article. Multicenter Study] Journal of Rheumatology. 33(8):1600-5, 2006 Aug.
  • Kozora E. Ellison MC. West S. Depression, fatigue, and pain in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): relationship to the American College of Rheumatology SLE neuropsychological battery. [Comparative Study. Journal Article. Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] Arthritis & Rheumatism. 55(4):628-35, 2006 Aug 15.
  • West S. The Nervous System. In Wallace DJ, Hahn BH (eds): Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 2007, pp 707-746.
  • Kozora E, Arciniegas D, Brown M, Filley C, Miller D, Zhang L, West S. Brain Abnormalities in SLE Patients with Cognitive Impairment. Arthritis & Rheum 2006; 54(suppl): S273(abstract 577).
  • Deane K, West S. Differential Diagnosis of Monarthritis. In Wortmann RL et al (eds): Gout, Pseudogout, and Apatite-associated Syndromes. New York, Taylor&Francis Group, LLC, 2006, pp 135-156.
  • Relatioship between Memory Impairment and Abnormal Hippocampal Neurometabolites in Patients with SLE. Presented at 71st National ACR Meeting (Nov 2007) Abstract published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, September 2007
  • West SG. Relapsing Polychondritis. In Harris JP, Weisman MH (eds): Head and Neck Manifestations of Systemic Disease. Informa Healthcare, New York 2007, pp83-96.
  • Caplan L, West SG. Woman with Morning Stiffness and Tender, Swollen Joints. In Scott MG, Gronowski AM, Eby CS (eds): Tietz’s Applied Laboratory Medicine (2nd ed). New Jersey, Wiley & Sons, 2007, pp 595-600.
  • West SG. The Nervous System. In Wallace DJ, Hahn BH (eds): Dubois’ Lupus Erythematosus (7th ed). Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkens, 2007, pp707-746.
  • West SG, Achenbach GA, Edelstein CL. Renal Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In Schrier RW (ed): Diseases of the Kidney & Urinary Tract(8th ed).Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkens, 2007, pp 1673-1699.
  • Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Gastrointestinal Intolerance to Oral Bisphosphonates. Presented at 72nd National ACR Meeting (Oct 2008). Abstract published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, September 2008.
  • Neurometabolic Abnormalities Associated with Cognitive Impairment indicate White Matter Damage in NonNPSLE Patients. Presented at 72nd National ACR Meeting (Oct 2008). Abstract published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, September 2008.
  • Kozora E et al. Cognitive and neurologic status in patients with SLE without major neuropsychiatric syndromes. Arthritis & Rheumatism 59: 1639-46, 2008
  • West SG. Sarcoidosis. In Hochberg MC et al (eds): Rheumatology (4th ed). Philadelphia, Mosby Elsevier, 2008,pp 1639-1650
  • West SG. Systemic Diseases in which Arthritis is a Feature. In Goldman L, Ausiello D (eds): Cecil Medicine (23rd ed).Philadelphia, Saunders Elsevier, 2008,pp2087-2091
  • West SG. Polyarticular Joint Disease. In Klippel JH et al(eds): Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases (13th ed),2008,pp47-57.
  • Deane KD, West SG. Other Traditional DMARDs: Monotherapy and Combination Therapy. In Hochberg M et al (eds): Rheumatoid Arthritis. Philadelphia, Mosby Elsevier, 2009, pp 325-336.
  • Filley CM, Kozora E, Brown MS, Miller DE, West SG, et al. White matter microstructure and cognition in non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Cog Behav Neurol 22: 38-44, 2009.
  • Fischer A, West S, Swigris J, Brown K, du Bois R. Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: A call for clarification. Chest 138: 251-256, 2010.
  • Kozora E, West S, Maier S, Filley C, et al. Antibodies against N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without major neuropsychiatric syndromes. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 295: 87-91, 2010.
  • Kozora E, Brown MS, Filley CM, Zhang L, Miller DE, West SG, Pelzman J, Arciniegas DB. Memory impairment associated with neurometabolic abnormalities of the hippocampus in patients with non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 20,1-9, 2011.
  • West SG. Sarcoidosis. In Hochberg MC et al (eds): Rheumatology (5th ed). Philadelphia,Mosby Elsevier,2011,pp 1659-1670.
  • West SG. Systemic Diseases in which Arthritis is a Feature. In Goldman L, Ausiello D(eds): Cecil Medicine (24th ed).Philadelphia, Saunders Elsevier, 2011, in press.
  • Ullrich KR, West SG, et al. Clinical and Autoimmune Manifestations of Levamisole-Adultered Cocaine Abuse. Arthritis Rheumatism 62 (Supplement),Absract #2013, 2010
  • Kolfenbach JR, Horner BJ, West SG. Clinical Implications of the NMO-IgG Antibody and Overlapping Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Patients with Connective Tissue Disease and Myelitis. Arthritis Rheum 62 (Supplement), Abstract #702, 2010.
  • Kozora E, Brown MS, Filley CM, Zhang L, Miller DE, West SG, Pelzman J, Arciniegas DB. Memory impairment associated with neurometabolic abnormalities of the hippocampus in patients with non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 20: 598-606, 2011.
  • Kolfenbach JR, Horner BJ, Ferucci ED, West SG. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in patients with connective tissue disease and myelitis. Arthritis Care Res 63:1203-8, 2011
  • West SG. Systemic Diseases in which Arthritis is a Feature. In Goldman L, Ausiello D(eds): Cecil Medicine (24th ed). Philadelphia, Saunders Elsevier, 2011, pp1747- 1751.
  • West SG. Clinical Aspects of the Nervous System. In Wallace DJ, Hahn BH (eds):Dubois’ Lupus Erythematosus (8th ed). Philadelphia, Elsevier, 2012, in press.
  • Kozora E, Filley CM, Zhang L, Brown MS, Miller DE, Arciniegas DB, Pelzman JL, West SG. Immune function and brain abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without overt neuropsychiatric manifestations. Lupus 21: 402-411, 2012.
  • Demoruelle MK, Kahr A, Verilhac K, Deane K, Fischer A, West S. Recent-onset systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by acute respiratory failure. Arthritis Care Res 65: 314-323, 2013.
  • West SG. Clinical Aspects of the Nervous System. In Wallace DJ, Hahn BH (eds):Dubois’ Lupus Erythematosus (8th ed).Philadelphia, Elsevier, 2013, pp 368-381.
  • West SG. Sarcoidosis. In Hochberg MC et al (eds): Rheumatology (6th ed). Philadelphia,Mosby Elsevier, 2013, in press.
  • West SG. Rheumatologic Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Disease. In McNally PR(ed): GI/Liver Secrets (4th ed). Philadelphia, Elsevier Mosby, 2013, in press.
  • West SG. Rheumatologic Manifestations of Hepatobiliary Disease. In McNally PR (ed):GI/Liver Secrets (4th ed). Philadelphia, Elsevier Mosby, 2013, in press.
  • Demoruelle MK, Kahr A, Verilhac K, Deane K, Fischer A, West S. Recent-onset systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by acute respiratory failure. Arthritis Care Res 65: 314-323, 2013.
  • Rothman MS, West SG, McDermott MT. Osteoporosis for the practicing neurologist. Neurol Clin Pract. Published ahead of print online 2013/11/11/01.CPJ.0000437349.fa.DOI10.1212/01.
  • Bray V, Bagley A, West S, et al. Infection risk among patients receiving concurrent denosumab and biologic or non-biologic DMARD therapy: an analysis of the consortium of rheumatology researchers of north america (CORRONA) registry. Presented at the National ACR meeting in Oct 2013 (Abstract #491).
  • Fischer A, Antoniou KM, Brown KK, Cadranel J, Corte TJ, du Bois RM, Lee JS, Leslie KO, Lynch DA, Matteson EL, Mosca M, Noth I, Richeldi L, Strek ME, Swigris JJ, Wells AU, West SG, Collard HR, Cottin V. An official European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society research statement: interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. Eur Respir J. 2015 Oct;46(4):976-87. PubMed PMID: 26160873
  • West S. Clinical Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis. In Fischer A, Lee J (eds), Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • West S, Kelmenson L. Cannabis arteritis, RheumNow
  • West S. The Pain of Funerals and Suicides, RheumNow
  • West SG. Systemic Diseases in which Arthritis is a Feature. In Goldman L, Schafer AI (eds): Cecil Medicine (25th ed). Philadelphia, Elsevier Saunders, 2016, pp1823- 1827.
  • West SG. Sarcoidosis. In Hochberg MC et al (eds): Rheumatology (7th ed). Philadelphia, Elsevier
  • West SG, Pearson DW, Striebich CC, Goecker R, Kolfenbach JR. The Effect of Pre-appointment Consult Triage on Patient Selection and Revenue Generation in a University Rheumatology Practice. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Jul 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29999252
  • West SG, Hanly, JG. Clinical Aspects of the Nervous System. In Wallace DJ et al (eds):Dubois’ Lupus Erythematosus and Related Syndromes(9th ed), In Press
  • West SG. Current management of sarcoidosis I: pulmonary, cardiac, and neurologic manifestations. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2018 May;30(3):243-248. PubMed PMID: 29389828
  • Current Management of Sarcoidosis: Pulmonary, Cardiac, and neurologic manifestations. Current Opinion in Rheum, submitted
  • Effect of Pre-appointment Consult Triage on Patient Selection and Revenue Generation in a University Practice. Presented at 81st National ACR Meeting (Nov 2017)
  • West SG, Kolfenbach J (eds). Rheumatology Secrets, 4th edition. Philadelphia, Elsevier
  • West SG, Hanly JG. Lupus and the Nervous System: Clinical aspects, psychopathology, and imaging. In Wallace DJ et al (eds): Dubois Lupus Eryhthematosus and Related Syndromes (9th ed). Philadelphia, Elsevier, 2019, pp434-456.
  • West SG, et al. Effect of preappointment consult triage on patient selection and revenue generation in a university practice. Arthritis Care Res 71: 689-693, 2019.

Professional Memberships

  • ABIM Subspecialty Board on Rheumatology, Member
  • American College of Physicians (ACP), Master
  • American College of Rheumatology, Master

Practice Locations

UCHealth Rheumatology Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct
4th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-7700

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Rheumatology, Board Certification (1995, 2005)
  • Internal Medicine, Board Certification
Conditions & Treatments
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles
Clinical Interests
I am interested in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Vasculitis.
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis