Healio Rheuminations

This interview with Chester V. Oddis, MD, will have you standing from a seated position without the need to use your arms as we discuss the inflammatory myopathies. We cover the classification, pathophysiology and treatment approaches to these diseases, as well as all the antibodies you must learn about for boards! Intro :20 The interview 1:05 How did you become involved in inflammatory myopathies...

Things get a little nerdy in this episode, which focuses on the basic science of what makes the inflammasome tick in CAPS, as well as data on the use of interleukin 1 inhibition. Hint: Listen to "The Inflammasome for Dunces" episode first, and this one will make more sense. Intro :20 Recap of Part 1 :33 Overview of this episode 1:56 Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome 3:04 Muckle-Wells syndrom...

This first episode delves into the clinical aspects of the Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes and includes some helpful tips for sorting out some of the autoinflammatory diseases in the spectrum. Intro :10 Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) :25 Outline of Part 1 2:25 What is CAPS? 3:12 Case #1 – a 25-year-old female with urticaria after cold exposure 4:25 Case #2 – a 55-year-old f...

A quick take on one of the little-appreciated engines of the innate immune system.  Intro :10 A little about this episode :25 The inflammasome is a component of the innate immune system 3:12 Remember NLRP3 4:12 The toll-like receptors 5:05 Triggering the inflammasome 7:05 The proteins 8:04 A medieval battle and a trebuchet 9:56 A disclosure 17:00 I hope you enjoyed this episode 18:06 We'd love to...

"Acute rheumatic fever is proceeded by an infection with Group A strep" is a mantra that all health care workers know. This episode digs through the history of how we came to understand this fact, as well as how our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of rheumatic fever developed. Intro :10 Why I made this episode :30 Outline of this episode 1:55 Rheumatic fever was really bad 3:10...

Join me as I explore a case of fever and migratory inflammatory arthritis, then discuss the case with the double-boarded rheumatologist/infectious disease expert, Cassandra Calabrese, DO . Intro :10 My new book :24 Inside this episode 1:20 Case presentation 1:38 Introducing Dr. Cassandra Calabrese 9:22 The interview 10:40 Was the patient's presentation typical for rheumatic fever? 10:58 Do most rh...

John Stone, MD, MPH, is the world leader in the field of IgG4-related disease research. In this episode, he breaks down the histology of IgG4-related disease, important aspects of what is known about the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as future directions in treatment. Intro :10 Inside this episode :13 IgG4-related disease background :31 An anecdote 1:15 The interview 4:09 History of IgG4...

In this episode, James Rosenbaum, MD, an expert in inflammatory eye disease, breaks down how systemic autoimmune conditions can affect the eye and highlights pearls that Rheumatologists should know. Intro :10 Inside this episode :15 Introducing Dr. Jim Rosenbaum :51 The interview 1:26 Some basic terms 1:45 TEON pneumonic 5:45 Microbiome work 7:06 Evaluation of inflammatory eye disease 9:01 Workup...

We journey into the world of metabolic bone in this episode and explore the varied clinical manifestations of hypophosphatasia. We also interview the head of the center for osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease at the Cleveland Clinic, Chad Deal, MD . Intro :10 The four H's of chondrocalcinosis :18 What we'll cover in this episode :52 A general overview 2:33 The first description of hypophosphat...

This ripping yarn delves into the history of tumor necrosis factor in relation to rheumatoid arthritis with emphasis on the original studies that set the stage for the use of TNF inhibition in RA.  Intro :11 What we'll cover here :16 Recap of Part 1 1:25 What I discovered when doing this episode 1:22 What this episode won't address 2:40 Let the tale begin 3:12 A look at matrix metalloproteinases 3...

In Part 1, we look at the original studies that led to the discovery of TNF in two separate labs where researchers were looking for two completely different things. We'll learn how these discoveries then fueled the use of TNF in the failed trials as an anti-cancer agent, and the eventual development of antibody therapy against TNF in septic shock. Intro :11 The origins of this episode and what we'...

Take a listen to this medical mystery and learn about a not-so-rare condition — depending on where you live. Hear some interesting historical stories about the physicians who helped establish the diagnosis, as well as an interview with a renowned expert. Intro :11 A 57-year-old woman presents with multiple-week history of joint pain. She also complains of lesions on her forearms. :32 Initial lab r...

In this guest episode, Leonard Calabrese, DO, provides the history of systemic lupus erythematosus, with special emphasis on the discovery of the LE cell and the two clinics involved in its detection.   Introduction of Leonard Calabrese, DO :11 In this episode … 1:44 A brief history of systemic lupus erythematosus and the major players 2:15 Laurent-Theodore Biett 2:55 Casanave 3:05 von Hebra 3:24...

Richard Furie, MD, is chief, division of rheumatology, at Northwell Health, and professor of medicine at Hofstra/Northwell School of Medicine. Join us in this ACR interview, as we discuss the story of interferon, lupus therapeutics — including B cell depletion — and the future of lupus research and treatments. Intro :10 Background on Dr. Furie :16 The interview :56 What advancements in the pathoph...

In this episode, John Stone, MD, MPH, director of clinical rheumatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, sits down to discuss his approach to giant cell arteritis and the results of the GiACTA trial. Learn why Stone believes the most important diagnostic test in GCA is the patient's history. Intro :10 Background on Dr. Stone :59 The interview 2:10 Differentiating subtle GCA from the "classic cas...

John J. O'Shea, MD, is scientific director of the NIH's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and chief of their Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch. In this ACR interview, he joins me to talk about the JAK/STAT pathway, what we've learned from mouse models, current FDA-approved JAK inhibitors and the future of this exciting field. Intro :10 Background on...

In this ACR interview, the walking encyclopedia of medical history, Eric L. Matteson, MD, of The Mayo Clinic, sits down with me to discuss what excites him about medical history and then takes a deep dive into the history of vasculitis!  Intro :10 Background on Dr. Matteson :28 The interview 2:00 How did you get into history? Why does it mean so much to you? 2:19 Can you tell us about the archives...

Martin J. Blaser, MD, is director of the Human Microbiome Program at NYU and author of the book, Missing Microbes . He sat down and spoke with us about how the microbiome plays a role in disease pathogenesis, including autoimmunity, and he also answered the question of whether all of our patients should be on probiotics!   Intro :11 Background on Dr. Blaser :35 The interview 1:20 What is the micro...

In this episode, explore data from the major study proving uric acid crystals are present in the synovial fluid of patients with gout, as well as the tale of two rheumatologists who injected their own knees (while still working in the hospital) with uric acid to prove it is the trigger for inflammation in gout. The episode finishes with some ripping yarns about the history of the medications we us...

Do you know the etymology of the word "gout," or how a simple microscope aided in the identification of tophi? Join me as I explore the history of this inflammatory arthritis and highlight the important scientists who shaped the modern era of gout. Intro :10 What to expect in Part 2 :48 A question: Which urate-lowering therapy was made for an expressly different reason than to treat gout? 1:34 The...

This episode discusses the case of an 85-year-old man with a history of hypertension and fairly recently diagnosed bladder cancer who presents with oligoarticular asymmetric inflammatory arthritis. Explore the details of this case and learn how bacillus Calmette-Guérin and reactive arthritis are related in this diagnostic conundrum. Intro :10 An 85-year-old man with a history of hypertension and r...

This episode covers a rare but life-threatening complication of lupus nephritis called complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. Rheumatologist Lisa Zickuhr, MD, helps us better understand this often-overwhelming topic with a clinical case example, treatment options and practice pearls. Intro :10 Introduction of Lisa Zickuhr, MD, rheumatologist :44 Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopa...

A young woman presents with migraine-like headaches, black spots in her vision and emotional lability. Think you know the diagnosis? You may be surprised – this medical mystery is not what it seems. In this episode, learn more about this rare diagnosis, and gain clinical insight from neurologist Devon Conway, MD, and ophthalmologist Arthi Venkat, MD . Intro :11 A 24-year-old woman presents with gr...

Do you know which U.S. president had Addison's disease? Or how rumors from WWII led to funding for research on cortisol? In this episode, take a trip down memory lane as we detail the history of steroids and the scientists whose work lead to the discovery of prednisone. Intro :14 A query: What other disease is attributed to Thomas Addison? :40 Overview of the layers of the adrenal gland 1:18 Histo...

Biosimilars are a fascinating new category of medication and are quickly becoming part of the rheumatologist's treatment armamentarium, but they can be confusing to understand. This episode will enhance your knowledge of this new class of medications by providing a better understanding of how biologics differ from most other medications, and why biosimilars aren't just generics of biologics. This...