ACR on Air

Could chronic inflammatory calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) be hiding in plain sight? In this episode, we explore why CPPD may be far more common than previously recognized, how it can masquerade as conditions such as refractory inflammatory arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and erosive osteoarthritis, and why it is so often overlooked in clinical practice. We discuss the growing r...

The 2026 ACR Guidelines for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are here, and lead author Dr. Karen Onel joins us to unpack the key updates shaping pediatric rheumatology care. From a biologics-first approach in systemic JIA to more individualized treatment pathways for non-systemic disease, the new recommendations emphasize earlier intervention, faster treatment tailoring, and risk-based decision...

In the future, can autoimmune disease become curable? A groundbreaking study from Germany suggests there may be a pathway in some cases. Patients with severe, treatment-refractory lupus who received CD19 CAR-T cell therapy have  remained  in drug-free remission for up to five years without ongoing immunosuppression. In this episode, we discuss how these findings are shifting the conversation from...

Fifty years ago, pediatric rheumatic disease was often marked by disability, limited treatment options, and low expectations for long-term outcomes. In 1976, a small group of clinicians and scientists helped launch a new understanding of immune-mediated disease in children and laid the foundation for modern pediatric rheumatology. In this episode, we explore how the field evolved from managing chr...

Today , we discuss a  new guidance statement  from the American College of Rheumatology aimed at bringing much-needed structure to the evaluation and management of patients with VEXAS. Th is  episode breaks down key recommendations, including who should be tested, the best approaches to diagnostic evaluation, how to interpret bone marrow findings, and emerging strategies for treatment—offering cla...

Private rheumatology practice is contracting under multi-directional pressure: shrinking margins, escalating prior authorizations, tightening Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and payer restrictions on drug access, and instability across core revenue streams. At the same time, demand is rising, wait times are surging, and workforce shortages are intensifying—driving clinician burnout and retention c...

Pericardial Disease is couched between two medical disciplines: Cardiology and Rheumatology, and those with  these conditions visit medical professionals viewing their treatment through one lens or the other. This episode  addresses the shifting reality that pericarditis and myocarditis are no longer separate  silos but  rather takes the broader view of inflammatory hea rt disease.   We'll  examin...

For years, myositis treatment has relied on broad immune suppression with drugs like steroids, methotrexate, and rituximab—but what if we could target the disease more precisely? Inflammatory myopathies are not a single condition, but a group of biologically distinct syndromes with different clinical features and immune pathways. As our understanding evolves, so does the potential for more persona...

In this episode, we discuss the growing workforce challenges in rheumatology with nurse practitioner Chris Estes. Chris shares how he entered the field, the training he received early in his career, and how he developed  expertise  in musculoskeletal ultrasound. The conversation explores how advanced practice providers (APPs) can help address rheumatology workforce shortages by expanding access to...

In this episode, we explore the paradox of gout—one of the most biologically understood and treatable diseases in medicine, yet still among the most poorly controlled chronic conditions in practice. With effective therapies readily available, why do patients continue to cycle through painful flares,  start  and stop medications, and return to clinics and hospitals in a pattern that feels like a re...

In this episode, we explore  Antiphospholipid Syndrome  (APS) with Dr. Yu (Ray) Zuo, beginning with a clear, clinically grounded explanation before diving into the personal and scientific journey that drew him to this notoriously complex disease. Along the way, Dr. Zuo shares a case that forever changed how he understands APS, then takes us inside his latest  Arthritis & Rheumatology  study, where...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. William Harvey, the newly appointed President of the American College of Rheumatology and a dedicated volunteer of  nearly 20  years. Dr. Harvey shares what  it's  like stepping into the presidency, the key priorities shaping the year ahead, and how the ACR is approaching strategy, advocacy, partnerships, and leadership during this pivotal moment for the field...

In this episode, our expert guest challenges a common assumption by explaining why the T-score—despite being central to osteoporosis diagnosis—is surprisingly easy to misinterpret. He walks us through how to read a DEXA scan like a detective, highlighting subtle clues that can dramatically improve diagnostic accuracy for your patients. Once osteoporosis is identified, the conversation turns to cli...

In this episode, we explore malignant atrophic papulosis—also known as Degos disease—an extraordinarily rare microvascular disorder so uncommon that most clinicians will never see a single case . For decades, medical literature labeled it "uniformly fatal." Our guest, Dr. Lee Shapiro, encountered this reality when he began treating a rapidly deteriorating 16-year-old boy with no clear treatment pa...

Once the prescription is written, pharmacists like Katherine McCarthy step in—often becoming the steady guide patients rely on throughout their health journey. Specializing in the care of people with rheumatic diseases, Katherine tackles insurance barriers, supports patients through biosimilar transitions, and helps demystify complex medication regimens. Her work underscores just how pivotal pharm...

This episode explores the evolving intersection of rheumatology and cognitive science, beginning with what initially drew researchers to investigate cognitive symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We discuss the prevalence and nature of patient-reported cognitive concerns, how these subjective complaints compare with objective neurocognitive testing, and what current studies reveal...

In this episode, we explore what happens when clinicians look beyond the prescription pad and begin listening more deeply to what their patients have lost. This isn't a conversation about rejecting medications but about expanding the tools we use to foster healing. We discuss the concept of disenfranchised grief—the often-unspoken losses that accompany chronic illness—the intricate links between d...

In this episode, we shine a light on Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD)—a condition that has been hiding in plain sight for decades. Despite being common, painful, and prevalent in clinics everywhere, CPPD has long been misdiagnosed, undertreated, and under-researched . Our guest has been working to change that by uncovering the genetic and molecular underpinnings of the disease and e...

In this episode, we explore RheumCode , a groundbreaking new initiative from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) designed to build a common digital language for rheumatology. RheumCode aims to ensure that data means the same thing wherever it lives—whether in an EHR, a clinic, or a registry—enabling systems to seamlessly communicate and make better use of the medical information already bei...

Welcome to ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago! Here, Dr. Hausmann delivers a quick update on what our podcasts will cover while the meeting is in session. Don't forget to tune in to ACR on Air and ACR Journals on Air each morning, starting this Saturday, to catch up on the latest in Rheumatology

In this week's episode, we dive into the ins and outs of the rheumatology musculoskeletal ultrasound certification process—what it takes to log 150 scans, meet CME requirements, and ultimately sit for the exam. We're joined by Dr. Liudmila Kastsianok, who shares her insights on how ultrasound is reshaping clinical practice, from enhancing diagnostic accuracy to opening new avenues in research. We...

In this episode, we preview ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago this October with Dr. Greg Gardner, Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee (AMPC) . We'll explore key topics like emerging therapies, AI in rheumatology, and highlights such as the Practice Innovation Summit, Ultrasound Course, and Fellows In Training ( FiT ) Program. Dr. Gardner also discusses highlights such as , CAR T-cell ther...

In recognition of Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month this September, this episode explores the critical yet often underutilized role of exercise in the management of rheumatic diseases. We examine how structured movement—ranging from step counts to resistance training—can significantly alter the trajectory of pain, function, and overall disease progression. Our discussion offers practical strategie...

It's been over two decades since the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) last released comprehensive treatment guidelines for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and much has changed. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Lisa Sammaritano to discuss the forthcoming 2025 ACR Guidelines for the Treatment of SLE. These updated recommendations reflect a significant evolution in our approach to lupus...

In this episode, we're joined by Karen Durrant, founder of the Autoinflammatory Alliance, who shares her powerful journey from a determined parent seeking a diagnosis for her child to the leader of a global patient advocacy movement. What began as a personal quest has evolved into an international network supporting thousands affected by autoinflammatory diseases. Karen discusses how her collabora...