In this special episode of Around the Rheum, hosts Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope sit down with guideline co-authors Dr. Carrie Ye and Dr. Jeff Graham to break down the newly released Canadian Rheumatology Association/Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology (CanRIO) Living Guidelines for the management of baseline immunosuppression in individuals with pre-existing rheumatic diseases initiating immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Together, they unpack the key tensions clinicians face: balancing cancer treatment efficacy with the risk of flare of autoimmune disease, the challenges of low-quality and limited data, and the nuances of caring for patients whose autoimmune conditions behave very differently. From inflammatory arthritis to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), the panel highlights when to consider de-escalation, when to continue treatment, and how oncologists and rheumatologists can collaborate to support patient outcomes.

They also discuss what surprised them during the systematic review, what evidence is still missing — especially around oncologic outcomes — and how clinicians can access and stay update to date on these living guidelines.

A must-listen for anyone treating autoimmune disease or cancer in the era of immunotherapy!

Dr. Carrie Ye is a rheumatologist and Associate Professor at the University of Alberta. She practices at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic and runs a specialized Rheumatology & Immuno-Oncology Clinic, focusing on the intersection of autoimmune disease and cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Ye is a leading member of the CanRIO Research Group and a senior author of the new living guidelines discussed in this episode. 

Dr. Jeff Graham is a medical oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba and an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. His clinical and research expertise focuses on genitourinary cancers, particularly kidney cancer and immunotherapy. He serves as the oncology lead on the CanRIO guideline team, bringing critical insight into cancer outcomes and treatment-risk balancing for patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors.

Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host) David McGuffin (exploreproductions.ca) and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.

Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.

For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca

Saviez-vous que le secteur des soins de santé a une empreinte climatique plus importante que celle de l’industrie aérienne?

Dans cet épisode d’Autour de la Rhumato, le Dr Hugues Allard-Chamard discute de la santé planétaire et des moyens d’intégrer la durabilité dans la pratique médicale avec les Dres Stéphanie Tom et Elizabeth Hazel. Ensemble, ils explorent les liens entre la santé humaine et celle de notre environnement, et réfléchissent à la responsabilité du milieu de la santé face aux changements climatiques.

La boîte à outils: Des soins de santé durables : Guide de mise en œuvre en rhumatologie.

La Dre Stéphanie Tom, vice-présidente de la Société canadienne de rhumatologie, explique comment elle s’est intéressée à la durabilité après avoir découvert l’empreinte carbone importante du secteur de la santé. Elle partage des gestes concrets pour réduire l’impact environnemental des cliniques, comme la diminution de l’usage des produits jetables.

La Dre Elizabeth Hazel, professeure associée à l’Université McGill, souligne pour sa part l’importance d’intégrer ces principes dans la formation médicale et de prêcher par l’exemple, que ce soit en encourageant l’activité physique ou en adoptant des comportements écoresponsables au quotidien. 

Ensemble, elles rappellent que protéger la planète, c’est aussi protéger la santé de nos patients et la résilience de nos systèmes de soins.

L’épisode met en lumière des solutions accessibles et des ressources comme CASCADES, la Société canadienne de rhumatologie et l’Association médicale canadienne, qui accompagnent les professionnels vers une pratique plus durable.

Pour réagir à l’épisode ou proposer des sujets, écrivez à [email protected] ou suivez-nous sur X (Twitter) à @autourdelarhumato.

Did you know that the healthcare industry has a bigger climate change footprint than the airline industry? In this episode of 'Around the Rheum,' hosts Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope join in conversation about how rheumatologists can help fight global warming with Dr. Stephanie Tom, the Rheumatology Division Head at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, ON and Vice President of the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA).

In 2022, Dr. Tom led the creation of the CRA Planetary Health Committee that has now published a toolkit to help rheumatologists lessen our climate change impact. Dr. Tom discusses the concept of planetary health and its application in rheumatology. She emphasizes cost savings and sustainable practices such as de-prescribing and high-value patient care. Through practical examples, the conversation highlights efforts to reduce waste and improve efficiencies in clinical practice. Dr. Tom also introduces the CRA's new toolkit designed to help rheumatologists lessen their climate impact, and offers actionable advice for greening offices and advocating for environmental stewardship in healthcare.

This episode of Around The Rheum was generously supported by Choosing Wisely Canada and The Royal College Foundation.

Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host) David McGuffin (exploreproductions.ca) and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.

Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell. For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit www.rheum.ca

We're back with another fascinating medical mystery in this episode of Around the Rheum! Hosts Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope are joined by Dr. Steven Rowe, an internal medicine resident at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), as they delve into a challenging case of a 22-year-old male with severe fatigue, requiring a wheelchair, who had to stop his studies and move back with his parents. The patient presented with multiple perplexing symptoms, including significant weight gain, intermittent abdominal discomfort, dyspnea, and peripheral edema. Will Dan and Janet solve the case before Dr. Rowe reveals the ultimate and surprising diagnosis? Voicing your theories out loud as you listen along is definitely encouraged!

If you have questions you would like answered or guest suggestions, please get in touch through the CRA social media accounts or by email: [email protected].

A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Co-Host), David McGuffin (Producer, ExploreProductions.ca), and Erin Stewart (Marketing and Communications Director, CRA) for leading production. Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell. For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit www.rheum.ca

In this episode of Around The Rheum, Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope are joined again by living legend in the world of Rheumatology, Dr. Dafna Gladman. Dr. Gladman is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and an Emeritus Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute and Crumble Research Institute. Dr. Gladman, who recently delivered the Dunlop-Dottridge lecture at the CRA's 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Calgary, discusses the past, present, and future of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) research. She highlights the role of biomarkers, the vital and complementary contributions of clinicians and statisticians in conducting research, and the emerging role of AI in transforming PsA patient care. Dr. Gladman also reflects on her career journey, the importance of collaboration in medical research, and her recent appointment as an officer of the Order of Canada.

If you have questions you would like answered or guest suggestions, please get in touch through the CRA social media accounts or by email: [email protected].

A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Co-Host), David McGuffin (Producer, ExploreProductions.ca), and Erin Stewart (Marketing and Communications Director, CRA) for leading production. Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell. For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit www.rheum.ca

In this episode of Around the Rheum, hosts Daniel Ennis and Janet Pope welcome Alison Clifford, a rheumatologist specializing in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), particularly giant cell arteritis (GCA). Recorded live at the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA)'s 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Calgary, the discussion delves into Dr. Clifford's research on LVV, the use of new radiotracers, and the complexities of diagnosing and managing LVV. The conversation also covers the challenges of distinguishing vasculitis from other conditions, the importance of inter-professional collaboration, and strategies for long-term monitoring and treatment of patients with LVV. The episode concludes on the need for more evidence in this challenging area of medicine! Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Dr. Alison Clifford is a rheumatologist and associate professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of Alberta. She has a research and clinical focus on Vasculitis, particularly giant cell arteritis. And she is an associate member of CanVasc.

If you have questions you would like answered or guest suggestions, please get in touch through the CRA social media accounts or by email: [email protected]. 

A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Co-Host), David McGuffin (Producer, ExploreProductions.ca), and Erin Stewart (Marketing and Communications Director, CRA) for leading production. Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell. For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit www.rheum.ca 

In this special episode of Around the Rheum, recorded at the 2025 CRA Annual Scientific Meeting in Calgary, UBC rheumatology resident Dr. Alec Yu presents a complex medical mystery involving a 42-year-old woman experiencing progressive chest pain, shortness of breath, and myalgias. Listen as our very own Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (i.e. Janet and Dan) reason their way through the case, uncovering a series of diagnostic twists. This episode underscores the importance of thorough history-taking, avoiding diagnostic anchoring, and keeping an open mind throughout a challenging diagnostic journey. 

Dr. Alec Yu is currently a PGY-4 resident doing his Rheumatology subspecialty training at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He has a particular interest in inner city health.

If you have questions you would like answered or guest suggestions, please get in touch through the CRA social media accounts or by email: [email protected]. 

A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Co-Host), David McGuffin (Producer, ExploreProductions.ca), and Erin Stewart (Marketing and Communications Director, CRA) for leading production. Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell. For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit www.rheum.ca 

Welcome to our final CRA Annual Scientific Meeting wrap up episode of Around the Rheum.

On Day 3, the last of the ASM, hosts Dr. Dan Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope are joined again with the University of Calgary's Dr. Marinka Twilt, and the University of Alberta's Dr. Mo Osman to break down the highlights of a very busy third day.

Our panel agreed that the Keynote lecture by Dr. Daphna Gladman on psoriatic arthritis was one of the best moments of the day, as was the Distinguished Investigator address by Dr. Joan Wither.

Workshops that are discussed here included starting and stopping medication for children with arthritis.

Podium Presentations discussed include Dr. May Choi on studies comparing AI vs the work of very experienced technicians. And Dr. Timothy Kwok on discrepancies in remuneration across Canada and the impact that has on care.

Dr. Twilt is the ASM Program Committee Chair.

Dr. Osman is the Abstract Chair and co-chair of the ASM Planning Committee.

Thanks for listening to these special episodes from the ASM in Calgary. We hope to see you next year in Halifax.

Welcome to your CRA Annual Scientific Meeting Day 2 wrap up episode of Around the Rheum.

Hosts Dr. Dan Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope are joined again with the University of Calgary's Dr. Marinka Twilt, and the University of Alberta's Dr. Mo Osman to break down the highlights of a very busy second day.

Everyone agreed that a big highlight was the State-of-the-Art lecture on Cellular Therapies and A New Era in Treating Systemic Sclerosis by Dr Nancy Maltez.

And a number of workshops were singled out including one on demystifying autoantibodies, another on the MUSTs, SHOULDs and ASPIREs of the new Transition Clinical Practice Guidelines.

And also a workshop on knowledge, exchange and translation.

The panel also discussed talks on CNS Vasculitis and Rheum-Derm.

And another favorite was The Great Debate, "Be it Resolved that MSK Point of Care (POC) Ultrasound (US) Should be a mandatory Component of the Rheumatology Curricula”. 

Dr. Twilt is the ASM Program Committee Chair.

Dr. Osman is the Abstract Chair and co-chair of the ASM Planning Committee.

We'll be back again on Friday with Day 3 highlights.

Stay tuned and keep an eye on your Around the Rheum feed.

Around the Rheum has gone on the road to the CRA Annual Scientific Meeting in Calgary.

In this episode, hosts Dr. Dan Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope break down the highlights of the first day of the Annual Scientific meeting with the University of Calgary's Dr. Marinka Twilt, and the University of Alberta's Dr. Mo Osman.

Dr. Twilt is the ASM Program Committee Chair.

Dr. Osman is the Abstract Chair and co-chair of the ASM Planning Committee.

The Year in Review presentation gave an excellent run-through of the biggest papers and discoveries of the year with a focus on Pediatric Rheumatology, Basic (but complex) Science, and Clinical Science. A lot of Canadian research was highlighted including work in health equity, planetary science, and Artificial Intelligence.  

The team also discuss the keynote address which examined the benefits and potential pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence.  

There were some great Clinical Pearls and Medical Mysteries that were discussed as well.

We'll be bringing updates on day 2 and day 3 as well.

Stay tuned and keep an eye on your Around the Rheum feed.