In this episode of Arthritis At Home, we are sharing the #CRArthritis interview with Dr. Arielle Mendel, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University. Dr. Mendel’s research focuses on patient safety in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. She aims to improve medication safety for people living with arthritis by studying the root causes of adverse drug effects. 

In this interview, she shares highlights from her podium and poster presentations looking at the safety and effectiveness of biosimilar and originator rituximab for induction or maintenance in ANCA-associated vasculitis and antinuclear antibody testing in lupus. She concludes by introducing us to the concept of safe deprescribing of medications for older adults. 

Additional learning resource

• Vasculitis Foundation Canada
• Arthritis Consumer Experts’ About Lupus page
• MedSafer: Safe Deprescribing for Older Adults