In this episode, we explore the unique challenges and considerations in treating older adults, focusing on the need for a different approach to care due to polypharmacy and multimorbidity. We delve into the complexities of managing these patients, emphasizing the importance of understanding frailty—how to assess, prevent, and address it. The discussion also covers late-onset rheumatoid arthritis, its distinction from rheumatoid arthritis, and why it often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated. We introduce the 5 M’s framework; a geriatric care model that helps clinicians focus on what truly matters to older adults. Additionally, we address the role of palliative care in rheumatology, highlighting its importance beyond end-of-life care, and provide guidance on shared decision-making with older adults and their families to ensure patient-centered outcomes. 

If you're a healthcare provider or a storytelling enthusiast, you'll enjoy this episode featuring Dr. Jason Liebowitz. A practicing rheumatologist and accomplished writer, Dr. Liebowitz discusses his journey toward becoming a physician-writer, how writing helps him process his experiences, and the art of storytelling in medicine, especially for a wider audience in today’s complex healthcare landscape. 

Happy New Year, Dear Listener! We’re back for 2025 and have with us Dr. Carol Langford, President of The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Dr. Adam Goode, President of The Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) as our guests. In this episode you’ll get an in-depth look at the collaborative efforts driving the ACR and ARP, direct from our leadership!  

Dr. Langford and Dr. Goode share with us their journeys into leadership, key initiatives for this year and their vision for advancing the field of rheumatology. We’ll also discuss workforce shortages, technological advancements affecting our field and fostering a more inclusive community. 

Dr. Pui Y. Lee, a pediatric rheumatologist, leading researcher and clinician, joins us today to lend his insights on Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2 or “DADA 2”. What is this disease and how common is it? What is the underlying pathophysiology, the role of genetic screening and the most useful diagnostic tools? We’ll also cover treatment options for DADA 2, the prognosis most patients face, plus the future of research for this condition. 

As 2024 ends, the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee looks ahead to the 119th Congress to address key issues in rheumatology. For our second annual legislative and policy update, we’re joined by Dr. Lennie McDaniel, head of ACR’s Washington DC office, and Dr. Christina Downey, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, to share insights from their ACR Convergence 2024 session. Topics include Medicare cuts, physician payments, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), telemedicine reimbursement changes, and how you can advocate for better outcomes with the ACR. 

We are proud to present the highly anticipated “ACR 2024 Lupus Nephritis Guideline” with First Author and frequent guest, Dr. Lisa R. Sammaritano. A decade in the making, we reflect on the significant advancements in available therapies, the guideline’s holistic approach to managing Lupus Nephritis (LN) across all age groups, and include insights on combination therapies, minimizing glucocorticoid use and how to manage the full spectrum of patients with Lupus Nephritis. 

As we continue to highlight sessions from Convergence 2024, we came upon this talk we think you should not miss: Emerging Threats in Rheumatology: Chronic Chikungunya Arthritis and Syphilis Mimicking Rheumatic Diseases. Session presenters, Dr. Jose Kennedy Amaral Pereira and Dr. Daniela DiMarco help us explore the world of emerging threats in rheumatology: specifically, Chikungunya Arthritis and Syphilis. These two experts share insights with us to help diagnose and manage those with these devastating infections and highlight for us how important it is for rheumatologists to remain on high alert for these infections, which can be easily mistaken for more common rheumatic disorders! 

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) ever replace the clinician or the researcher? Today, we explore the promises and pitfalls of this transformative technology and its implications for rheumatology. From assistance in diagnosis and patient care to its role in research and academic writing, our two guests Dr. Amanda Nelson and Dr. Bella Mehta will walk us through how our field is utilizing AI today and where it may lead in the near future. Most of all, they’ll explain how we can harness its power...without getting burned. 

When should we choose rituximab over cyclophosphamide? What role can avacopan play as an adjunct therapy? When is plasma exchange a viable option? How can we effectively navigate steroid tapering? These are just a few of the critical questions we’ll explore with our next guest, Dr. Tanaz Kermani, founder and director of the Vasculitis Program at UCLA, a dedicated clinician and active researcher. Join us as we delve into these topics and address the challenges of diagnosing and managing patients with vasculitis. 

Dr. Sara McCoy, rheumatologist and Sjögren’s specialist, a “Sjögrensologist”, joins us this week for an in-depth look at Sjögren’s Disease. We address how the systemic nature of this disease can affect everything from the lungs to the kidneys, why traditional treatments may not always work, why a patient’s antibody profile may hold the key to their disease severity, the use of new biomarkers, the role of advanced diagnostics and ground-breaking developments in the use of stromal cells in treatment and so much more!