ACR Journals On Air

Today, we explore why naming matters —especially when it comes to peripheral nervous system disorders in autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's. Dr. Shanmugam is joined by Dr. Ghaith Noaiseh and Kathy Hammitt, two key contributors to the recently published manuscript, " Recommendations for Aligned Nomenclature of Peripheral Nervous System Disorders Across Rheumatology and Neurology, " in Arthritis & R...

In this episode of ACR Journals on Air , Dr. Jason Knight joins us to discuss his recent Arthritis & Rheumatology review on antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disease marked by complex thromboinflammatory processes. We explore the evolving understanding of APS pathogenesis, the role of antiphospholipid antibodies, Beta-2 glycoprotein I, and NETosis , as well as current and emerging tre...

In this episode of ACR Journals on Air, host Dr. Vicki Shanmugam returns to the mic and dives into the CLASS Project —an ambitious international study on anti-synthetase syndrome recently published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Joined by Drs. Sara Faghihi-Kashani, Akira Yoshida, and Giovanni Zanframundo, she explores the clinical characteristics, antibody profiles, and skin and lung manifestations...

With the growing shortage of rheumatology specialists in the U.S., healthcare systems face increasing delays, clinician burnout, and inefficiencies. In this episode, we explore a promising solution: the integration of physician assistants/associates (PAs) into rheumatology practice. We're joined by Benjamin Smith, PA-C, Associate Dean and Program Director at Florida State University, and first aut...

Dr. Laura Plantinga joins us to discuss her recent work on the APPEAL study, which examines how lupus affects activities of daily living using patient-reported outcomes and validated measures such as IADLs, BADLs, SLAQ, and PROMIS. We explore her methodological approach, key findings, and implications for clinical practice—particularly how physicians can better support patients in managing functio...

In this episode, we explore a new approach to improving participation in lupus clinical trials by strengthening provider outreach and education. Our guest, Dr. Saira Sheikh of UNC Chapel Hill, discusses the TIMELY study , which focuses on involving healthcare providers and community health workers to better connect patients with trial opportunities. From roundtable discussions to changes in provid...

In this episode, Dr. Kaur and Dr. Abhishek join us to discuss their recent study on acetaminophen , exploring how it compares to NSAIDs in safety and effectiveness. They break down their use of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), key findings—especially in arthritis patients—and what this means for clinical practice. It's an insightful look at how big data can challenge assumptions abo...

On this episode, we chat with Dr. Sho Fukui about  his recent study  on rising uric acid levels and   what's   driving the increase. We dig into the links between weight, obesity, and gout, and hear how a huge health checkup database in Japan helped uncover some eye-opening trends. Dr. Fukui breaks down the findings in simple terms, shares how they compare to older studies like MRFIT, and talks ab...

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Atul Deodhar, a leading expert in the field of Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). Dr. Deodhar shares insights from his groundbreaking research on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of AxSpA, particularly focusing on the efficacy and safety of IV secukinumab . We dive deep into his study, INVIGORATE-1, exploring the methods behind it, including the use...

This week, we explore the genetics behind the production of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in individuals without clinical autoimmune disease, using data from the All of Us registry. Our guest, Dr. Mehmet Hocaoglu shares insights into the significance of understanding ANA positivity and its potential genetic underpinnings, highlighting how large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can predi...

In this episode, our host is joined by Dr. Peter Nigrovic, an expert in Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS). Dr. Nigrovic, delves into the complexities of MAS. The discussion covers the syndrome's history, diagnostic challenges, mechanisms of inflammation, and the latest treatment strategies, including cytokine blockade, JAK inhibitors, and chemotherapy options. Dr. Nigrovic also reflects on his...

In this episode we explore the role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Dr. Mariana Kaplan, Chief of the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch at the National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, joins the discussion to break down the complex immunological mechanisms driving lupus, focusing on the contribution of NETs and Low-Density Granuloc...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Victoria Werth, a leading expert in dermatology and autoimmune diseases, to explore the study Understanding the Role of Type I Interferons in Cutaneous Lupus and Dermatomyositis: Toward Better Therapeutics. Dr. Werth delves into the complex immune mechanisms that drive skin manifestations in cutaneous lupus and dermatomyositis, two challenging autoimmune condi...

In this episode, we explore the findings of a groundbreaking study analyzing opioid treatment trends for adults with and without systemic autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (SARDs) from 2006 to 2019. The study , based on national data from the United States, sheds light on how individuals with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis are impacted by opioi...

As our weekend here in Washington D.C. draws to an end, we turn our spotlight on an important and timely conversation from the "Sponsoring Women in Science" session. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann and Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick to explore the challenges women face in advancing their careers in the sciences. Our guests share insights on how to address the barriers that oft...

Get ready for an electrifying episode of Convergence 2024! We're diving deep into the cutting-edge world of autoinflammatory diseases with renowned experts Drs. Grant Schulert and Arthur Kaser. Join us as they unravel the complexities of refractory and complicated systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). Discover the revolutionary insights into SJIA at the single-cell level, explore the fasc...

This week we're joined by two leading experts in gout remissions, Dr. Nicola Dalbeth and Dr. Dansoa Tabi-Amponsah to explore the exciting advances in gout treatment, with a particular focus on Dual-Energy CT (DECT) imaging and its role in achieving gout remission. We dive into how DECT technology is transforming our ability to visualize urate crystals in joints, its implications for patient care,...

In another installment in the ongoing  Arthritis & Rheumatology immunology series, guest David S. Pisetsky, MD, PhD, author of Unique Interplay Between Antinuclear Antibodies and Nuclear Molecules in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus , takes us on a deep dive into research in SLE on how the combination of ANAs and immunologically active DNA can create new structures that can promote...

This week, our next  guest, ACR Master Dr. Joan T. Merrill, joins us to discuss her latest study which endeavored to evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib  and elsubrutinib in those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) . Join us for an in-depth analysis of the SLEek Study, its findings regarding the efficacy of these medications and Dr. Merrill's conclusions.  

For those with rheumatic disease, everyday challenges can mean an increase in disease flare. However, r esearch is increasingly pointing to the idea that psychosocial stressors could even heighten the risk of developing rheumatic diseases. Dr. Christine Parks looked deeper into this among those with rhe u m atoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in her latest study Life Events...

This week, we explore a groundbreaking study on the prevalence of fibromyalgia and widespread pain in patients with psoriatic arthritis with first author and ACR Master, Dr. Philip J. Mease. In his latest article, titled: Prevalence of Fibromyalgia and Widespread Pain in Psoriatic Arthritis: Association with Disease Severity Assessment in a Large US RegistryUID , Dr. Mease explains what the presen...

As the dawn of the Ai revolution marches on, scientific research and clinical medicine ar e adopting new and more streamlined ways to investigate and serve our patients. Today, we look at how Ai-driven, large language models (LLMs) might aid our field's researchers in analyzing data from patient interviews. Dr. Bella Mehta, corresponding author of A Novel Approach for Mixed-Methods Research Using...

Genetic conditions, inherited personality traits, brain chemistry...these are but a few of the well-known biological determinants of health and are but a small sample of factors that can determine how severe disease may affect a patient. But what role can social factors play in determining a patient's health? What of the 'Social Determinants of Health ( SDoH )'? Dr. Shivani Garg set out to identif...

The process of we a ning our patients off biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (b-DMARD) therapy is not unfamiliar in our clinics. However, when attending to our patients, many complications and questions arise. Specific guidance is needed, but where do we turn? Thankfully, our latest guest, Dr. Paul Emery, may have some a nswers. His latest study, Predicting Flare in Patients With Rheuma...

To better understand the mechanisms that drive antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Dr. Yu Zuo and his team , evaluated the presence of circulating calprotectin ( cCLP ) to detect any clinical associations or even the mechanistic role among a cohort of primary APS and aPL -positive patients. Dr. Zuo sits down with us this week to discuss whether calprotectin can be a functional biomarker for those wit...