ACR Journals On Air

American College of Rheumatology

Welcome to "ACR Journals on Air," the ACR's newest podcast series featuring interviews, commentary, and analysis on research from our three peer-reviewed journals. Join us each episode for engaging discussions with authors and independent experts about recently published studies, their implications for clinical care, and how they move the field of rheumatology forward. Whether it's an expert analysis of a manuscript or deep dive with an author – our goal is the same – to understand the impact of the science and bring it from the bench to the bedside

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21 episodes
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Avg 31 min
English

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S4 · E97
Tuesday · 30 min
Risk Factors for Relapse in ANCA Vasculitis
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ellen Romich about her post hoc analysis of the RITAZAREM trial, exploring factors associated with relapse in ANCA-associated vasculitis. She discusses the study design, key findings—including the roles of rituximab, azathioprine, CD19 positivity, ANCA status, and immune reconstitution—and the clinical implications and limitations of the work. Dr. Romich also shares her path into rheumatology, how she became involved in the analysis, and what questions she hopes to tackle next. Risk Factors for Relapse in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis Among Patients With Relapse After Induction of Remission With Rituximab
S4 · E96
August 18 · 30 min
Significance of a Positive ANA in Patients Without Autoimmune Diseases
Dr. Vivian Kawai and Matthew Chung discuss their research on the clinical significance of high-titer antinuclear antibodies (ANA) using electronic medical record data and PheWAS analysis. They explore the study's design, key findings, clinical implications, and limitations, while also discussing how an undergraduate research experience evolved into a successful mentorship and publication. Clinical Conditions Associated With a High Antinuclear Antibody Titer in Individuals Without Autoimmune Disease
August 4 · 41 min
RA Inference in EHR
In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning are advancing the use of electronic health record data in rheumatology. Dr. Kat discusses the development and validation of a natural language processing–based model to infer rheumatoid arthritis disease activity from structured and unstructured clinical data, its application in studying cardiovascular outcomes, and the challenges of deploying predictive models across different health systems. The conversation also examines the future of real-world evidence generation, the practical limitations of AI in clinical research, and Dr. Kat's career journey, offering insights and advice for the next generation of physician-scientists.
S4 · E94
July 21 · 33 min
Distilling Still Disease: Interstitial Lung Disease and Still
In this episode, Michael J. Ombrello, MD, explores how our understanding of Still's disease has evolved, from recognizing interstitial lung disease as a key manifestation to uncovering the immunologic and genetic factors that may shape disease severity. He discusses insights from a National Institutes of Health natural history study, including interferon signatures, HLA associations, drug-associated immunologic reactions, and exome sequencing, and explains what these findings could mean for future diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment. The conversation also turns to Dr. Ombrello's own career path, the personal experiences that inspire his research, and the mentors who helped shape his journey as a physician-scientist. Type I Interferon Signature is Associated With Lung Disease, Drug-Associated Immune Reactions, and Genetic Variation in Interferon-Linked Pathways in Still Disease
S4 · E93
July 7 · 36 min
GLP-1 receptor agonists in the RISE registry
In this episode, Nicholas P. McCormic discusses new real-world research from the RISE registry examining the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. He explains the motivation behind the study, its design, and key findings on medication use, weight loss, and differences between semaglutide and tirzepatide, while highlighting important considerations for clinicians and patients. Nick also shares insights into the strengths and limitations of using registry data before reflecting on his journey from psychology and sociology to earning a Ph.D. focused on chronic disease management and rheumatology, offering advice for aspiring researchers and a look at his future work.
S4 · E92
June 23 · 28 min
VAT: A Visualization and Analysis Tool for Scleroderma
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Ji Soo Kim about a new tool designed to help people with scleroderma better understand and manage their disease. Using information collected over many years from patients receiving routine care, Dr. Kim developed an interactive platform that turns complex medical data into easy-to-understand charts and predictions. We discuss how the tool can help patients and doctors track disease progression, compare experiences with similar patients, and make more informed treatment decisions together. Dr. Kim also shares insights into the challenges of working with real-world health data, the future of personalized medicine in rheumatology, and the career path that led to this innovative work. Development of a Personalized Visualization and Analysis Tool to Improve Clinical Care in Complex Multisystem Diseases With Application to Scleroderma
S4 · E91
June 9 · 33 min
Late-Onset Scleroderma Renal Crisis
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Swati Mehta and Dr. Lee Schulman Shapiro about their study examining early- and late-onset scleroderma renal crisis using data from three patient cohorts. They discuss key clinical findings, including important differences related to sex, autoantibodies, presentation, dialysis outcomes, and long-term prognosis, as well as the implications for patient care. The conversation also explores the personal journeys of both guests—from Dr. Mehta's path from northern India to a career at the intersection of nephrology and rheumatology, to Dr. Shapiro's reflections on nearly five decades in clinical practice and life after retirement.
S4 · E90
May 26 · 44 min
AI for Nonpharmacologic Management of Chronic Rheumatic Diseases
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Nirali Shah about the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and rehabilitation. Drawing from her recent scoping review, Dr. Shah discusses the evidence behind AI-driven health apps for education, exercise, gait retraining, clinical decision support, remote patient monitoring, and pain management. The conversation also explores the challenges, risks, and ethical considerations surrounding AI in clinical care, as well as the future relationship between digital health tools and healthcare professionals.
S4 · E89
May 12 · 22 min
Multibiomarker Panel for RA-ILD
In this episode, we explore the emerging role of biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) with Dr. Brent Luedders, discussing how prior ILD research laid the foundation for his latest multi-cohort study. He walks us through the study design, including the use of VA and non-VA cohorts, the biomarker panel that was tested, and the key findings related to prevalent and incident RA-ILD, ROC analyses, and disease risk over time. We also discuss the study's limitations, the future of biomarkers in RA-ILD care, and Dr. Luedders' personal journey into rheumatology, research, and medical education. Performance of an Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis-Derived Multibiomarker Panel for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
S4 · E88
April 28 · 43 min
Apremilast in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
In this episode, Drs. Nilasha Ghosh and Anne Bass discuss immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitors, focusing on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They review early clinical recognition, epidemiology, and findings from a multicenter observational study evaluating apremilast, including patient characteristics, outcomes, and key limitations. The conversation also highlights insights from the HSS Checkpoint Inhibitor–Associated Arthritis Registry, the need for greater precision in rheumatology, and practical perspectives on mentorship and career development for emerging clinician–scientists. Use of Apremilast for the Treatment of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
S4 · E87
April 14 · 27 min
Genetic Risk Score for Pain in RA
In this episode, Dr. Katie McMenamin and Dr. Josh Baker discuss their research on the genetic drivers of pain in rheumatoid arthritis, drawing on data from the FORWARD and VARA cohorts. They explore how genetic risk scores relate to pain and disease activity, and what these findings mean for patient care, remission, and future clinical trials. The conversation also highlights key study limitations, along with reflections on the research process and advice for trainees pursuing careers in rheumatology. Development and External Validation of a Genetic Risk Score for Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis
S4 · E86
March 31 · 41 min
Peripheral Blood Gene Expression and Scleroderma Lung Disease
In this episode, Dr. Shervin Assassi discusses a secondary analysis of the SENSCIS trial, exploring how peripheral blood gene expression may predict response to mycophenolate in systemic sclerosis–associated lung disease. He highlights key findings linking immune and metabolic gene signatures, as well as C-reactive protein, to changes in lung function, and considers their potential role in guiding treatment and clinical trial design. The episode also touches on his career journey and insights into leadership, mentorship, and sustaining research productivity. Peripheral Blood Gene Expression Profiling and Prognostic Significance for the Course of Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
S4 · E85
March 17 · 19 min
SARD Risk and Environmental Exposures
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sasha Bernatsky about her research on the relationship between exposure to fine particulate air pollution and the development of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. She explains what fine particulate matter is, how her team used large population datasets to study environmental exposures, and what their findings suggest about the potential health impacts of air pollution. The conversation also explores the challenges and limitations of studying environmental risk factors, what comes next for this line of research, and Dr. Bernatsky's reflections on building a career in rheumatology and epidemiology, mentoring the next generation of scientists, and staying resilient through the inevitable setbacks of scientific work. Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease Risk: Association With Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter
S4 · E84
March 3 · 34 min
Fecal Metabolome in Early Systemic Sclerosis
In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann discusses emerging research on the gut microbiome in systemic sclerosis, building on findings from early-diagnosis and prior microbiome studies. She explains her team's analysis of microbiome-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, and their potential role in symptom development, highlighting key findings, clinical implications, and study limitations. The conversation also touches on holistic patient care, international collaboration, and her perspective on the future of systemic sclerosis research and treatment. Characterization of the Fecal Metabolome in Patients With Early Systemic Sclerosis
February 17 · 23 min
Mortality in RA Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs)
In this episode, Dr. Madeline O'Sullivan discusses her retrospective study of U.S. veterans in the Veterans Health Administration, examining outcomes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer. She explains how the cohorts were defined, how use and timing of immunosuppressive therapies were analyzed, and how mortality and cause of death were determined. Dr. O'Sullivan summarizes the patient population, cancer types represented, and key findings on survival differences between RA and non-RA groups, as well as insights from secondary analyses and important study limitations. She also reflects on balancing research with clinical training, the mentorship that supported her work, lessons learned, and practical advice for trainees aiming to complete and publish research projects.
S4 · E82
February 3 · 29 min
JDM Treat to Target
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jayne MacMahon about an international collaborative study in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) involving pediatric rheumatology centers in Genoa, Italy, and Toronto, Canada. She discusses the study's motivation, key disease activity measures, treatment targets, and definitions of remission, along with major findings on time to remission, steroid exposure, and treatment outcomes across cohorts. Dr. MacMahon also reflects on the study's limitations, future research directions, her career path in pediatric rheumatology, and how international collaboration can shape the future of care for children with autoimmune diseases. Toward a Treat-to-Target Strategy in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: What Are the Suitable Targets and Optimal Timing of Their Achievement?
S4 · E81
January 20 · 35 min
TNF Inhibitors and Risk of Serious Infection in Pregnancy
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Evelyne Vinet about a new study examining whether TNF inhibitors increase the risk of serious infections during pregnancy among women with chronic inflammatory diseases. Using large real-world data from the MarketScan database, the discussion explores how pregnancy, inflammatory disease, TNF inhibitor exposure, and serious infections were defined, how confounders were addressed, and what the data reveal across pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Vinet also reflects on study limitations, the impact of COVID-19, and her broader work on pregnancy outcomes and long-term child health in rheumatic diseases, offering insights for clinicians and researchers alike. Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors and Risk of Serious Infections in Pregnant Women With Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
S4 · E80
January 6 · 28 min
What Are the Predictors For Difficult to Treat RA?
In this episode, we explore why rheumatoid arthritis matters to the broader public, with a focus on difficult-to-treat RA (D2T-RA)—what it is, how often it occurs, and why early identification is critical. Our guest demystifies common RA research terms and outcome measures, introduces the real-world data sets behind the study, and explains—in plain language—how a predictive model was developed using modern statistical tools. We discuss the key risk factors for D2T-RA, including which findings were surprising, as well as the study's major strengths and limitations. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on how this work may shape future research, the potential role of AI in risk modeling, and practical advice for early-career researchers on balancing productivity and sleep.
S3 · E79
Dec 9, 2025 · 29 min
Can Ultrasound Detect Aneurysms in Giant Cell Arteritis?
In this episode, we speak with a leading investigator in large-vessel vasculitis, Dr. Anne Bull Haaversen, to clarify the full spectrum of giant cell arteritis (GCA), including its aortic involvement. We reviewed the prevalence of GCA-related aneurysms, why the team compared ultrasonography with other imaging modalities, and how the ascending aorta can be assessed with ultrasound. Our Dr. Haaversen summarizes the study design, key findings, and limitations, and reflects on how these results may inform future guidelines. We close by discussing the evolution of their research focus on large-vessel imaging and how rheumatologists can balance advanced diagnostics with empathetic patient care.
S3 · E78
Nov 25, 2025 · 30 min
Can Age-related Assumptions Obstruct Rheumatic Care?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Smith to explore why the rheumatology community urgently needs stronger grounding in aging principles and more adaptable care strategies for older adults living with rheumatic conditions. Dr. Smith walks us through his innovative research examining the attitudes and perspectives of healthcare professionals, explains how tools like the ERA-12 help illuminate key patterns, and shares what his team learned about how clinicians approach the care of aging patients. He discusses which findings surprised him, what limitations shaped the study, and how this work opens new directions for future investigation. Near the end, Dr. Smith offers practical takeaways clinicians can apply right away and reflect on his own early-career journey—including what he hopes to accomplish between fellowship and the far future stages of his career.

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