ACR on Air
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
As the official podcast of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), ACR on Air seeks to have informative and engaging conversations rheumatology professionals want to hear – ranging in topic from trends in clinical practice, to issues affecting rheumatology professionals, and the changing landscape of the rheumatology field. Tune in twice a month for engaging interviews and commentary.
Episodes
- VEXAS Syndrome: What You Need to Know
ACR on Air reviews the American College of Rheumatology's new guidance for VEXAS syndrome, detailing recommendations on testing, diagnostic evaluation, interpreting bone marrow results, and current treatment strategies.
- Support for Private Practice
This episode discusses the multi-directional pressures impacting private rheumatology practices, including financial and regulatory challenges, and details the American College of Rheumatology's response through advocacy and policy reform…
- Pericardial Diseases in Rheumatology & Beyond
This episode of ACR on Air discusses pericardial disease, focusing on its connection between cardiology and rheumatology. It explores the broader view of inflammatory heart disease, the involvement of rheumatologists, and advancements in d…
- Current and Evolving Treatments for Myositis
Myositis treatment is moving beyond broad immune suppression towards more personalized, targeted therapies. Dr. Julie J. Paik discusses how a better understanding of inflammatory myopathies could reshape future treatment approaches.
- Strategies for Workforce Retention
Nurse practitioner Chris Estes joins ACR on Air to discuss rheumatology workforce challenges, his career path, and the role of advanced practice providers (APPs) in expanding access to care. The episode covers APP training, addressing prac…
- The Next Era of Gout Therapy
This ACR on Air episode examines why gout, a well-understood and treatable disease, remains poorly controlled. It delves into the factors contributing to this paradox, including patient adherence and health system delivery, questioning if…
- Precision Rheumatology, APS and You
Dr. Yu (Ray) Zuo discusses Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), sharing his clinical journey, a transformative case, and his research on using machine learning to identify patterns in patient risk. The episode covers the role of AI in rheumato…
- The Year Ahead for The ACR with Dr. Will Harvey
Dr. William Harvey, the new President of the American College of Rheumatology, shares his priorities for the upcoming year, covering strategy, advocacy, and partnerships.
- The Evaluation and Management of Osteoporosis
This episode discusses the complexities of interpreting DEXA scans for osteoporosis diagnosis, moving beyond the T-score. It also covers clinical decision-making for choosing and sequencing treatments like anabolic agents, denosumab, and b…
- Degos Disease
This episode of ACR on Air features Dr. Lee Shapiro discussing Degos disease, a rare microvascular disorder. Dr. Shapiro recounts treating the first successful case and his ongoing work advocating for patients and access to therapies.
- Partnering With Your Pharmacist
Katherine McCarthy, a pharmacist specializing in rheumatic diseases, explains her role in guiding patients through their health journey. Her work includes navigating insurance issues, supporting biosimilar transitions, and simplifying comp…
- Cognitive Dysfunction in Inflammatory Arthritis
This ACR on Air episode examines cognitive dysfunction in inflammatory arthritis, discussing patient-reported issues, objective testing results, inflammatory mechanisms, effects of RA therapies, and lifestyle factors like activity, sleep,…
- Assessing and Addressing Grief and Depression Utilizing Lifestyle Medicine
This episode discusses using lifestyle medicine to address grief and depression by examining patient losses beyond medication. It covers disenfranchised grief, the connection between depression and inflammation, and achieving healing throu…
- Therapeutic Advances in CPPD
This episode of ACR on Air discusses Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD), a common yet often misdiagnosed inflammatory arthritis. The discussion covers current research into its genetic and molecular basis, potential overlap wi…
- RheumCode
This episode discusses RheumCode, an American College of Rheumatology initiative creating a common digital language for rheumatology. It aims to standardize data meaning across various healthcare systems to improve medical information util…
- Get Ready for ACR Convergence 2025
Dr. Hausmann offers a brief update on the ACR on Air podcast's coverage plans for ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago. Listeners can expect daily morning updates on Rheumatology starting Saturday.
- The Benefits of RhMSUS Certification
This ACR on Air episode details the rheumatology musculoskeletal ultrasound (RhMSUS) certification, covering requirements for logging scans and meeting CME. Dr. Liudmila Kastsianok discusses how ultrasound improves diagnostics, research, a…
- ACR Convergence 2025 Preview
ACR on Air previews the ACR Convergence 2025 meeting in Chicago, featuring Dr. Greg Gardner. The discussion covers emerging therapies, AI in rheumatology, CAR T-cell therapies, new lupus guidelines, and a Live Journals Club on Big Data.
- RDAM 2025 – Rheum Moves!
This episode discusses the importance of exercise for rheumatic diseases, covering pain management, function, and disease progression. It offers practical strategies for patients and addresses cardiovascular risks and fall prevention in rh…
- 2025 Guideline Summary for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Dr. Lisa Sammaritano joins ACR on Air to discuss the 2025 ACR Guidelines for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The episode covers updated recommendations, evolving therapeutic options, patient engagement, and minimizing steroi…
- Patient Support Groups
Karen Durrant founded the Autoinflammatory Alliance, a global patient advocacy movement for autoinflammatory diseases, stemming from her personal quest for her child's diagnosis. Her collaboration with Dr. Fatma Dedeoglu helped connect pat…
- Juvenile Dermatomyositis
ACR on Air features myositis expert Dr. Brian Feldman discussing Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), covering its presentation, diagnosis, MDA5 variant, triggers, management, and associated interstitial lung disease.
- Therapies for Sjögren's Disease
Dr. Dana DiRenzo discusses new treatments for Sjögren
- From Fellowship to Private Practice
Dr. J. Thomas Berry shares his experiences transitioning from a rheumatology fellowship to private practice, detailing the differences in settings, the business learning curve, and patient care dynamics.
- Behçet's Disease
This episode of ACR on Air examines Behçet's Disease, a rare multisystem inflammatory disorder. Dr. Johannes Nowatzky discusses its hallmark features, geographic and genetic associations, diagnostic difficulties, and individualized treatme…
- Advocacy in Action: 2025 Progress Report
ACR on Air provides a 2025 progress report on the legislative landscape affecting rheumatology, addressing Medicare cuts, PBM issues, and research funding. Guest Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel shares insights on patient and profession advocacy.
- Chronic Pain in Spondyloarthritis: Differentiating Active Disease From Fibromyalgia
ACR on Air examines the evaluation of pain in spondyloarthritis, distinguishing between active inflammatory disease and fibromyalgia. The episode highlights the importance of identifying centralized pain syndromes for effective patient car…
- Use of GLP-1 in Rheumatology
This episode of ACR on Air examines the use of GLP-1 agonists in rheumatology, discussing their effects on weight, inflammation, and disease activity. An expert guest explains the connection between adipose tissue, systemic inflammation, a…
- The Role of AI in Rheum's Workforce Challenges
This episode of ACR on Air examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence on rheumatology, discussing its influence on workflows, diagnostics, treatment, and patient monitoring, while also addressing ethical concerns and the challenges of…
- Emerging Therapies for IgG4-Related Disease
Dr. Matthew Baker provides an update on emerging therapies for IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD), discussing B and T cell pathogenesis, the limitations of steroid treatments, and the use of rituximab. The episode also examines the promising r…
- Diabetic Myonecrosis
This episode of ACR on Air explores Diabetic Myonecrosis and Scleroderma, conditions presenting as rheumatic diseases. Dr. Schiopu discusses diagnostic approaches in rheumatology consults, highlighting the importance of avoiding unnecessar…
- The Year in Preview
This episode of ACR on Air features Dr. Christopher T. Ritchlin discussing advancements presented at Convergence 2024. Topics include precision medicine, TRBV9 cells in axSpA, sex differences in PsA, and urinary biomarkers for Lupus Nephri…
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation
ACR on Air features John Tesser discussing a pioneering study on vagus nerve stimulation for Rheumatoid Arthritis. An implantable device aims to reduce inflammation by stimulating the vagus nerve, presenting a novel alternative to drug tre…
- Caring for Older Adults in Rheumatology
This episode of ACR on Air discusses geriatric rheumatology, covering polypharmacy, multimorbidity, frailty assessment, late-onset rheumatoid arthritis, the 5 M's framework, palliative care, and shared decision-making.
- How to Become a Physician-Writer
Dr. Jason Liebowitz, a practicing rheumatologist and writer, shares his journey toward becoming a physician-writer on ACR on Air. He discusses how writing aids in processing experiences and the importance of medical storytelling for broade…
- The Year Ahead for ACR & ARP
Dr. Carol Langford, President of the ACR, and Dr. Adam Goode, President of the ARP, join the show to discuss their organizations' collaborative efforts, leadership, and key initiatives for the year ahead. They also touch on workforce short…
- Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2 (DADA 2)
Pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Pui Y. Lee discusses the clinical aspects of Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2 (DADA 2), including its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. The episode also covers the role of genetic screening…
- Campaigning for Rheumatology in An Election Year Legislative & Policy Update
In this legislative and policy update, the ACR
- ACR Convergence 2024: Updated ACR Lupus Nephritis Guideline
Dr. Lisa R. Sammaritano presents the updated ACR 2024 Lupus Nephritis Guideline, a decade in development. The discussion covers new therapies, a holistic approach for all age groups, combination treatments, minimizing glucocorticoid use, a…
- ACR Convergence 2024: Emerging Threats in Rheumatology
This ACR Convergence 2024 session covers emerging threats in rheumatology, focusing on Chronic Chikungunya Arthritis and Syphilis. Experts Dr. Jose Kennedy Amaral Pereira and Dr. Daniela DiMarco discuss diagnosis and management of these in…
- ACR Convergence 2024: Harnessing the Power of AI
ACR Convergence 2024 features Dr. Amanda Nelson and Dr. Bella Mehta discussing the application and implications of Artificial Intelligence in rheumatology, covering its use in diagnosis, patient care, research, and academic writing, and ho…
- Clinical Challenges in ANCA Associated Vasculitis
The ACR on Air episode "Clinical Challenges in ANCA Associated Vasculitis" features Dr. Tanaz Kermani discussing treatment strategies. Topics include the choice between rituximab and cyclophosphamide, the role of avacopan, plasma exchange…
- Sjögren's Disease
Dr. Sara McCoy discusses Sjögren
- ACR Convergence 2024 Preview
Dr. Greg Gardner, Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, previews the ACR Convergence 2024. The episode details the meeting's focus on science, networking, education, and patient care improvements, including adaptations for the po…
- Insights into Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI)
Dr. Bharat Kumar, a clinical rheumatologist and allergy immunologist, explains Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI), detailing how to identify them, diagnostic challenges, and clinical manifestations. The discussion covers causes, connections t…
- Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month: The Importance of Self-Management
This episode discusses the importance of self-management for rheumatic diseases, introducing the concept and highlighting available resources. Dr. Shah explains how patients can take active roles in managing their condition beyond medicati…
- How Should We Navigate Moral Dilemmas in Rheumatology?
ACR on Air discusses moral dilemmas in rheumatology with Dr. Kelly Weselman, Chair of the ACR Ethics Committee. Topics include patient autonomy, access to care, treatment costs, conflicts of interest, and the impact of technology.
- Psoriatic Arthritis
Dr. Philip J. Mease discusses the diagnosis and latest treatments for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), including evaluating joint pain, enthesitis, and axial involvement.
- The Evolution of Rheumatology
Adam J. Brown, MD, discusses the evolution of rheumatology, detailing its founding, major milestones, discoveries, and pioneers, and explaining how this history informs current clinical practice.
- Partnering with Your Physical Therapist
ACR on Air explores the value of physical therapy in rheumatology patient care, covering referral, interventions, education, and interprofessional communication. Dr. Yasser Salem shares insights on challenges, advancements, and the future…