Join us this week for a very special episode, that is just as much a personal story as it is an educational discussion. Dr. Jon Hausmann discusses a vasculitis disease that affects cartilage, particularly around the ears, nose, joints, eyes and throat, known as Relapsing Polychondritis (RP). Our guest, board certified in internal medicine, critical care, infectious diseases, and rheumatology, is Dr. Marcela Ferrada. Dr. Ferrada is an expert in the research, diagnosis and clinical treatment of RP and is a world-renowned leader in its subject. Dr. Ferrada also lives with the disease, as she was diagnosed with RP in 2015. Her inspiring story of hard work and dedication through adversity truly sets the stage for this educational and informative episode about a very rare disease: Relapsing Polychondritis 

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) - is one of the most common inflammatory arthritis in the world, and yet, it doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. Our discussion today will feature everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this disease. We’ll review the basics, diagnosis through arthrocentesis and various imaging studies, creating classification criteria for CPPD, treating both the acute and chronic manifestations of CPPD as well as all the questions that remained unanswered. 

This week we discuss a pressing issue facing healthcare in the United States: The shortage of rheumatologists nationwide. With millions of American suffering from rheumatic diseases, the demand for specialized care has never been greater. Meanwhile, the supply of rheumatologists has not kept pace with this demand. Leaving many patients struggling to access the care they need. Today, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Battafarano, co-chair of the ACR Workforce Study, whose aim was to understand this very topic. We explore the root causes of this shortage, its impact on patient care and potential solutions for addressing this critical issue. 

Gout, despite being one of the most well-known and recognizable rheumatic diseases, still has large populations of people struggling with its management, as they do not receive urate-lowering treatment, even when they qualify. Of those who receive this treatment, only a small percentage reach their target urate goal. To shed some light on this, we’ve invited Dr. Nicola Dalbeth, a Specialist Rheumatologist, who leads research on the mechanisms, impact and treatment of gout. Dr. Dalbeth is also a principal investigator of trials for novel therapeutic agents and treatment strategies in gout and in 2020, was also a member of the core oversight committee for the ACR Gout Management Guidelines. We discuss treatment efficacy, the disparities, myths and barriers to them, diagnosis, and strategies regarding management of gout. 

Founder of Attune Health and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Swamy Venuturupalli is our guest today! We discuss innovative tech solutions designed to keep you, the clinician, working smarter, not harder. Dr. Venuturupalli explains some of his favorite tech adoptions in his practice, such as use of VR, AI, social media, and other software designed to increase efficiency and productivity in a field desperately searching for more hands to heal and assist an ever-growing patient load. 

“Rheumatology For All” is an organization with a global mission: To increase access to rheumatology care in under-resourced regions. They aim to create self-sustaining rheumatology training programs by funding the education of local physicians to become rheumatologists and provide educational programs for local physicians. Much of the organization’s work is done in developing nations throughout Africa. Today, we have founding member and member of the board of directors, Dr. Michele Meltzer as our guest, to discuss their mission, how it began, where “Rheumatology For All” is going, and how you can get involved in the great need to expand rheumatic care to these under-served countries. 

This week we discuss what a biosimilar is, why they’re causing such controversy and why they’ve taken seven years, since the FDA approved Amgevita, to come to market. We review the evidence behind the safety and efficacy of these drugs, the data from switching from a bio-originator to a biosimilar, and how the approval of the drugs may lower the health care costs and improve access to these medications. 

This week, we have the distinct privilege to interview Dr. Dan Kaster, “The Father of Autio inflammatory Diseases”. His discoveries have taught us a great deal about how the immune system works, both in health and disease. His work has contributed to finding effective treatments for conditions that previously caused significant suffering and early death. Discussions around the many autoinflammatory diseases for which he is famous are had in this episode, but we dive deeper, asking about the keys to his success as an investigator as well. Dr. Kastner shares with us formative experiences as a medical student, skills he’s acquired solving the myriad of challenges he’s faced and the global collaborations he’s forged over his long and legendary career.     

This week, our guest is Assoc. Prof. Of Medicine in Rheumatology at Loma Linda Univ. And board certified from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and Chair of ACR’s Government Affairs Committee, Dr. Christina Downey. Dr. Downey discusses and shares with us how to counsel and provide small and practical steps for patients to improve their wellness as well as tips on staying healthy while juggling clinical practice, administrative responsibilities and family life. We’ll learn all about empathy: what it is, how to get it and why you want it. And finally, Dr. Downey shares with us her work in advocacy for her patients and what motivates her to continue that work and fighting burnout 

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the life of a researcher.  We’ve invited Dr. Jeffrey Sparks to share with us how he ended up as an R01 independent researcher. We’ll learn how the sausage is made, as they say, of a successful grant submission.  Jeff will share with us how he became interested in research, the skills he gained along the way, how mentors were necessary for his success, and he explains the alphabet soup of NIH grants.  He also discusses the 20 medals that he has hanging on the wall of his office. 

This week, Dr. Alfred Kim joins Dr. Hausmann for a reflective episode, highlighting memorable moments and key learning takeaways from ACR Convergence 2022, in our final episode of the year. Have a happy and healthy new year. 

Join us this week as we welcome American College of Rheumatology Master, Dr. Herbert S. Baraf who is the founder and, up until his retirement this year, managing partner of “Arthritis & Rheumatism Associates” (one of the largest private rheumatology practices in America). Today, Dr. Baraf shares with us why he went into private practice, the risks and benefits of doing so, and his invaluable lifetime experience for those looking to enter and those within private practice. Currently, Dr. Baraf is a Special Volunteer at National Institue of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. He holds appts as Clinical Professor of Medicine at George Washington University and is an Associate Clinical Professor at The University of Maryland 

This week we invited Dr. Stacy Ardoin, pediatric and adult rheumatologist, to discuss all the challenges of ushering children into adult care and (more importantly) how to facilitate the transition. Dr. Ardoin led the American College of Rheumatology’s participation in the American College of Physicians Pediatric to Adult Care Transition Toolkit Project and has published several research studies and reviews on the topic. Today, she offers her advice, processes at her own practice, and resources for both patient and parents to help your pediatric patient successfully navigate this critical period in their care. 

Welcome to ACR Convergence 2022! Today, Dr. Vicki Shanmugam (host of ACR Journals on Air) joins Jon to tackle three, pivotal trials, that will be presented at our annual meeting this year! Join us as they dive into the objectives, the science behind them and their incredible results. You can find each one of the manuscripts discussed on this episode here:

1. Deucravacitinib, a Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor, in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
2. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Extension Trial of the Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of Anifrolumab in Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
3. Genicular Nerve Block for Pain Management in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

ACR Convergence 2022 is almost here, and with that, new trials, new medications and new results. We’re preparing a very HOT episode for you, to be released along with the opening ceremony at ACR Convergence 2022, this Saturday, November 12th. In this preview of Saturday’s full episode, we’ve invited host of “ACR Journals on Air” Dr. Vicki Shanmugam, to briefly discuss all the exciting science that is just a few days away! 

Excited for ACR Convergence 2022? So are we! This week Jon catches up with AMPC Chair, Dr. Sharon Kolasinski! It's been two years since we’ve gathered physically, and when we meet up at The Philadelphia Convention Center, you won’t be disappointed. Dr. Kolasinski dives into this year’s program, new features at Convergence and even the delicious dining to be had in this historic city of brotherly love. See you soon! 

In this episode we discuss how pain syndromes occur, what's happening in the brain, how to diagnose and explain these syndromes in our patients and (most importantly) how to help patients on the road to recovery. Our guest, Dr. Schubiner, has decades of experience in treating patients with these syndromes and uses randomized controlled studies to inform his approach. These studies have shown that a specific type of treatment leads to a nearly complete elimination of pain in a large majority of patients with chronic pain. 

• Psychophysiologic Disorders Association
  Non-profit professional organization and clearinghouse for information, lists of practitioners, bibliography of research articles, and an online training course
• The Tension Myositis Syndrome Wiki
  A peer-run support group organization for people looking for help with chronic pain, plus a list of practitioners, and online support groups
• UnlearnYourPain.com
  Six animated videos for educating patients on pain and the brain, plus lists of training programs, and other videos/lectures; and an online program for patients
• Stress Illness Recovery Practitioner’s Association
  A site in the UK with training & online programs

Books written by our colleagues for patients:

• John Sarno—The Mindbody Prescription, Healing Back Pain, The Divided Mind
• Alan Gordon—The Way Out, pain reprocessing therapy for patients
• Howard Schubiner—Unlearn Your Pain and Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression; books for patients with self-guided recovery programs

Other books:

• David Hanscom—Back in Control and Should you have spine surgery?
• David Clarke—They can't find anything wrong
• David Schechter—Think away your pain
• Georgie Oldfield—The key to chronic pain recovery

Books for professionals:

• Lisa Feldman Barrett—How Emotions are Made; on predictive processing
• Schubiner and Allan Abbass—Hidden from View
• PPD Association—Clarke, Schubiner, Abbass, Clark-Smith—Textbook on psychophysiologic disorders

During “The Great Debate” at ACR Convergence 2020, the question: “Should JAK inhibitors be started before TNF inhibitors in people with rheumatoid arthritis who failed methotrexate?” was asked. However, in 2021, results from the oral surveillance trial showed an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in cancers among patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking tofacitinib as compared to those on TNF inhibitors. These findings led to the FDA updating their black box warning on JAK inhibitors. Today, we’ve invited one of the speakers on the great debate, Dr. Vibeke Strand, to speak on her position on JAK inhibitors given these new results and shed some more light on the subject. 

Today, we’ve invited a clinical expert of spondyloarthritis, Dr. Maureen Dubreuil. In this episode, Dr. Dubreuil discusses how she evaluates and treats patients with this specific condition and shares with us tips and insights into how to diagnose and manage this disease. 

This week’s episode is another installment of our popular “Hot Topics” series, where we discuss “must read” studies recently published in one of ACR’s three peer-reviewed journals. Joining us is Dr. Vicki Shanmugam. Not just our guest today, but also the host of a new ACR podcast series, “ACR Journals on Air” scheduled to launch later this summer. Today, we’ll hear what we can expect from her new podcast, and we’ll talk about some of her favorite studies in the ACR’s journals right now. Enjoy! 

In this week’s episode, we discuss the "ACR’s 2022 Guideline Summary for Vaccinations in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases" with lead author Dr. Anne Bass, Attending Physician in the Division of Rheumatology at Hospital for Special Surgery and a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. During our conversation we consider the importance of guidelines for vaccines, the impact certain drugs like rituximab and methotrexate have on vaccinations, cover some vaccine highlights within the guidelines, how these guidelines can aid in navigation with insurance companies and much, much more. 

Today we’re talking about implicit bias with Dr Arin Reeves. What bias is, how it permeates our lives, how it can negatively impact our workforce, and its impact on clinical research and patient care. Most importantly, we discuss what we can do about our implicit biases to prevent them from causing damage. 

This week we welcome Dr. Alfred Kim to our show as we discuss B-Cell depleting therapies and how patients on these drugs may be more susceptible to COVID-19. During which, Dr. Kim takes us back to the beginning of the pandemic and how he and his patients initially managed the rituximab infusions, how and why people on this drug may be at increased risk of severe disease, the importance of vaccinations, and why they may not work for this patient population. Finally, we finish with Dr. Kim sharing with us important information on how to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 among people taking b-cell depleting therapies, now that there are new therapies for COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxis.  

Today’s episode is all about mental health for today’s healthcare professionals with our guest, Dr. Hanna Zembrzuska. She is a psychiatrist and rheumatologist and is a clinical assistant professor at The University of Iowa, holding appointments in the depts of internal medicine and psychiatry. We discuss everything from what burnout is, strategies to prevent/overcome it, the importance of having a sense of control within your medical practice and how to establish boundaries to coaching and support groups for physicians, as well as tips and tricks to maintain your mental health during busy clinic days. We then dive into how depression and anxiety can cause physical pain with rheumatic disease. 

Today, in this episode, we’ll discuss the new “2021 Guideline for the Management of Kawasaki Disease”, the mysterious triggers that cause KD, the use of therapies such as IVIG, steroids, infliximab, anakinra, and compare multisystem inflammatory disease in children, or MIS-C (a condition very similar to Kawasaki Disease that is triggered by SARS COV-2). Joining us today is Dr. Mark Gorelik, lead Author of the “2021 Guideline for the Management of Kawasaki Disease”. He’s an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, is a pediatric rheumatologist, an allergist and immunologist. His research focuses on vasculitis, including Kawasaki disease, and on immune dysregulation.   

In this episode, Dr. Kim Steinbarger, PT, MHS, DHSc, Asst. Professor at Husson University, and Talitha Black, an occupational therapist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), help us clarify some common misconceptions about exercise for people with rheumatic diseases. We’ll discuss tips and strategies to increase physical activity for people of all ages, explore who would benefit from physical or occupational therapy. We’ll discuss bracing, taping, and other strategies that people may use to reduce pain and improve function. 

• Tough Choices: Exploring Medication Decision-Making During Pregnancy and Lactation Among Women With Inflammatory Arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatology. 
• Improving Knowledge of Lactation Compatibility of Antirheumatic Medications Among Providers Who Care for Patients With Rheumatic Disease. ACR Open Rheumatology. 
• Improved Pregnancy Outcome in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Followed an Ideal Clinical Pathway. ACR Arthritis Care & Research. 

In this episode of ACR on Air, we reach the final installment of our vasculitis guideline miniseries. Dr. Hausmann is once again joined by Dr. Sharon Chung, lead author of the 2021 ACR/VF guidelines for managing systemic vasculitis, to discuss Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN). Dr. Chung weighs in on CTA over MRA for abdominal vascular imaging, and blind biopsy. Dr. Hausmann and Dr. Chung examine various patient scenarios for PAN symptoms and why they would meet the criteria for data testing. 

In this episode of ACR on Air, we continue into part two of our Vasculitis miniseries with Dr. Sharon Chung, lead author of the 2021 ACR/VF guidelines for managing systemic vasculitis. Dr. Chung addresses how the guidelines were developed, the use of use temporal artery biopsy, and the on-going challenges with treating Takayasu’s arteritis. She also highlights the success of non-invasive ultrasound techniques in Europe for diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and discusses the treatment approaches for GCA. 

In this episode of ACR on Air we begin the first entry in our Vasculitis miniseries with Dr. Sharon Chung, where we take a detailed examination of the 2021 ACR/VF guidelines for managing systemic vasculitis. In part one of the series Dr. Chung will discuss the importance and creation of the guidelines along with the impact the author's hope to achieve. We then dive into the recommendations for ANCA-associated vasculitis, including: GPA, EGPA and MPA. We'll address controversial questions for treatment and the impacts that arise for COVID-19 vaccinations.

It’s been seven months since the ACR released its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance for Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, and we continue to learn more about navigating COVID-19 in rheumatology patients. Some real-world data has become available on patient outcomes. The FDA has issued an EUA for 3rd doses of an available mRNA vaccine in certain immunocompromised patients. Antibody testing continues to be heavily debated. And monoclonal antibody treatment has received an EUA to be used as a prophylaxis measure in patients at high risk for developing severe COVID-19. Dr. Jeff Curtis, Chair of the ACR COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Task Force, joins us to discuss these developments, updated task force recommendations, and more.

So, what are we talking about today? A topic that comes up often between providers and patients—alternative and integrative therapies to help treat rheumatic conditions.  Dr. Chenchen Wang joins the show to talk about a few of the popular therapies available for common conditions, address a few myths, and offer insight on how rheumatologists can support patients interested in these alternative options.  

While we are taking time to discuss this popular topic, the host, Dr. Wang nor the ACR are suggesting that patients with rheumatic conditions forgo traditional treatment plans recommended by trained rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. Patients should continue to see their rheumatologist for updates or additions to their treatment plan. 

This month, our host takes a look back on the telemedicine journey many health care providers and patients navigated in 2020. Dr. Christine Peoples and Dr. Aruni Jayatilleke join as guests sharing their experiences and tips on digitally treating patients with rheumatic diseases.

This show is a special one and covers a topic that so many of you have been asking about! The American College of Rheumatology just released its guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine for patients with rheumatic diseases, and we have the lead author, Dr. Jeff Curtis, on with our host to discuss the research and recommendations.   

Throughout the show, you will hear Dr. Curtis the ACR’s recommendation that all patients with rheumatic diseases should get the vaccine and that it does not matter which one you get—just make sure your second dose is by the same brand. Bottom line: get whichever one is available to you as soon as you can get it.

They also discuss the process of developing the ACR guidance, the experts involved including epidemiologists, rheumatologists, and infectious disease clinicians; and how they plan to keep the document updated.

And finally, they discuss the safety and efficacy of the vaccines despite how rapidly they were developed, the low risk of disease flares, and the importance of ongoing research on this topic.

This is the episode you want to listen to NOW!

This month’s show focuses on advocacy in the rheumatology space. Our host chats with Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel, director of congressional affairs for the ACR; and Amanda Grimm Wiegrefe, the ACR’s director of regulatory affairs about advocacy wins and losses for 2020, the upcoming priorities for 2021, and how listeners can get involved.

This month’s show features a guest author discussing, Dr. Yusuf Yazici, discussing his team’s efforts to create a drug treatment for osteoarthritis. The study was published in the American College of Rheumatology’s journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology.

This month we’re giving you a preview of ACR Convergence 2020, the ACR’s annual meeting, which will be held Nov. 5 – 9 in an all-virtual environment. Our host chats with Dr. Vicki Shanmugam and Dr. Swamy Venuturupalli about the shift to a virtual event this year, what’s changing and staying the same, must attend sessions including special COVID-19 discussions and what participants can expect from this all-encompassing experience. 

It’s Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month, RDAM for short, and in this episode, we’re talking with Dr. Kanika Monga about a few of the 100+ rheumatic diseases, the 54 million Americans with a rheumatic condition and the results of a nationwide patient survey. RDAM is hosted every September by the American College of Rheumatology and its Simple Tasks™ awareness campaign.

ACR on Air is back for Season 2 with a very important topic for the rheumatology specialty. Listen as our host chats with Dr. Lisa Sammaritano and Dr. Ware Branch about reproductive health for patients with rheumatic diseases.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals have found themselves in an unprecedented situation where the rise of telehealth has been key to treating their patients. In this episode of ACR on Air, our host will speak with two ACR experts, Dr. Jay Mehta and Antanya Chung, about telehealth best practices.

The special COVID-19 series continues with a discussion on how to keep your practice going during this pandemic. Our host chats with Dr. Chris Phillips, who runs a solo practice in Kentucky, and Dan Redinger, an ACR staffer who is keeping his eye on the federal government's COVID-19 stimulus package. Listen as they share best practices and tips for health care providers during this unprecedented time.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the American College of Rheumatology has dedicated the next few episodes of ACR on Air to the challenges that have arisen, along with information about the available resources and guidance . The first episode in this special series focuses on drug shortages including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine.

In this episode, our guest, Dr. Daniel Solomon, takes us on a journey through the life cycle of a manuscript and getting publishing. With more than 400 published articles under his belt, Dr. Solomon offers key tips on writing and submitting your work, how to promote your research, spotting predatory journals and more. He also shares valuable insight on publishing trends he’s seen over the past 25 years.

The final 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting edition of Hot Topics is here. Dr. Suleman Bhana and Dr. Ali Duarte-Garcia chat with our host, Dr. Jon Hausmann, about the last few studies featured in press conferences at the meeting.

The ACR is back with another special 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting Hot Topics edition. Our host, Dr. Jon Hausmann, is joined by guest hosts Dr. Suleman Bhana and Dr. Ali Duarte-Garcia to discuss more of the studies featured in the Annual Meeting press conferences.

In this special Hot Topics episode, our host and guests discuss more of the studies featured in the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting press conferences.

The ACR is back with a special 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting Hot Topics edition. Our host, Dr. Jon Hausmann, along with Drs. Suleman Bhana and Paul Sufka, discuss a few of the studies featured in the Annual Meeting press conferences.

Episode 4 is a continuation of our series focused on value-based care and how to measure quality of care. Our guest host, Dr. Vaneet Sandhu, will chat with Dr. Lisa Suter about quality measurement and improvement , and what that means for the rheumatology specialty.

In this episode, Dr. Hausmann and his guests, Dr. Colin Edgerton, chair of the ACR's committee on rheumatologic care and Dr. Angus Worthing, chair of the ACR's government affairs committee, take listeners on a journey into value-based care and how it impacts the rheumatology profession.

This episode is a special edition called Hot Topics where our host Dr. Jon Hausmann chats with Dr. Suleman Bhana and Dr. Paul Sufka about intriguing articles from ACR journals.

This episode, our host talks with Dr. Sheila Angeles - Han, lead investigator on the JIA Uveitis guidelines. He also chats with Barbara Slusher, MSW, PA-C about how PAs/NPs help with the rheumatology workforce shortage.