The Year Ahead for The ACR with Dr. Will Harvey
ACR on Air
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. William Harvey, the newly appointed President of the American College of Rheumatology and a dedicated volunteer of nearly 20 years. Dr. Harvey shares what it’s like stepping into the presidency, the key priorities shaping the year ahead, and how the ACR is approaching strategy, advocacy, partnerships, and leadership during this pivotal moment for the field.
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The Evaluation and Management of Osteoporosis
ACR on Air
In this episode, our expert guest challenges a common assumption by explaining why the T-score—despite being central to osteoporosis diagnosis—is surprisingly easy to misinterpret. He walks us through how to read a DEXA scan like a detective, highlighting subtle clues that can dramatically improve diagnostic accuracy for your patients. Once osteoporosis is identified, the conversation turns to clinical decision-making: how to choose between anabolic agents, denosumab, and bisphosphonates, and why that choice depends on thoughtful risk stratification and patient-specific comorbidities. We...
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Degos Disease
ACR on Air
In this episode, we explore malignant atrophic papulosis—also known as Degos disease—an extraordinarily rare microvascular disorder so uncommon that most clinicians will never see a single case. For decades, medical literature labeled it “uniformly fatal.” Our guest, Dr. Lee Shapiro, encountered this reality when he began treating a rapidly deteriorating 16-year-old boy with no clear treatment path. Driven by urgency, he reached out to experts across the country, slowly piecing together clues that ultimately led to the first successful treatment of systemic Degos disease. Today, Dr....
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Partnering With Your Pharmacist
ACR on Air
Once the prescription is written, pharmacists like Katherine McCarthy step in—often becoming the steady guide patients rely on throughout their health journey. Specializing in the care of people with rheumatic diseases, Katherine tackles insurance barriers, supports patients through biosimilar transitions, and helps demystify complex medication regimens. Her work underscores just how pivotal pharmacists are in driving better outcomes in rheumatology.
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Cognitive Dysfunction in Inflammatory Arthritis
ACR on Air
This episode explores the evolving intersection of rheumatology and cognitive science, beginning with what initially drew researchers to investigate cognitive symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We discuss the prevalence and nature of patient-reported cognitive concerns, how these subjective complaints compare with objective neurocognitive testing, and what current studies reveal underlying inflammatory and neurobiological mechanisms. The conversation examines the cognitive effects of commonly used RA therapies, as well as modifiable contributors—including...
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Assessing and Addressing Grief and Depression Utilizing Lifestyle Medicine
ACR on Air
In this episode, we explore what happens when clinicians look beyond the prescription pad and begin listening more deeply to what their patients have lost. This isn’t a conversation about rejecting medications but about expanding the tools we use to foster healing. We discuss the concept of disenfranchised grief—the often-unspoken losses that accompany chronic illness—the intricate links between depression and inflammation, and the transformative power of helping patients heal in ways that no pill alone can achieve. This episode was sponsored by
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Therapeutic Advances in CPPD
ACR on Air
In this episode, we shine a light on Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD)—a condition that has been hiding in plain sight for decades. Despite being common, painful, and prevalent in clinics everywhere, CPPD has long been misdiagnosed, undertreated, and under-researched. Our guest has been working to change that by uncovering the genetic and molecular underpinnings of the disease and exploring new ways to improve patient outcomes. We discuss what’s new and what’s next for CPPD, why it may be the most common inflammatory arthritis after age 60, how it overlaps with rheumatoid...
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RheumCode
ACR on Air
In this episode, we explore RheumCode, a groundbreaking new initiative from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) designed to build a common digital language for rheumatology. RheumCode aims to ensure that data means the same thing wherever it lives—whether in an EHR, a clinic, or a registry—enabling systems to seamlessly communicate and make better use of the medical information already being documented. We discussed how RheumCode began, the collaboration behind its development, and its potential to transform the way clinicians practice; researchers study disease, and patients...
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Get Ready for ACR Convergence 2025
ACR on Air
Welcome to ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago! Here, Dr. Hausmann delivers a quick update on what our podcasts will cover while the meeting is in session. Don't forget to tune in to ACR on Air and ACR Journals on Air each morning, starting this Saturday, to catch up on the latest in Rheumatology
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The Benefits of RhMSUS Certification
ACR on Air
In this week’s episode, we dive into the ins and outs of the rheumatology musculoskeletal ultrasound certification process—what it takes to log 150 scans, meet CME requirements, and ultimately sit for the exam. We’re joined by Dr. Liudmila Kastsianok, who shares her insights on how ultrasound is reshaping clinical practice, from enhancing diagnostic accuracy to opening new avenues in research. We also explore how incorporating ultrasound into routine care can deepen the physician-patient relationship and improve communication. Finally, Dr. Kastsianok offers her perspective on where the...
info_outlineIn this episode, we examine Behcet’s Disease—a rare, multisystem inflammatory disorder that continues to challenge traditional frameworks of autoimmunity and vasculitis. Dr. Johannes Nowatzky joins us to discuss the disease’s hallmark features, including recurrent mucocutaneous ulcers and ocular involvement, as well as its geographic distribution and genetic associations. We explore the diagnostic difficulties posed by its heterogeneous presentation and symptom overlap with other conditions, and the rationale behind individualized, often multidisciplinary treatment strategies. This conversation offers valuable insights into a condition that remains as enigmatic as it is clinically significant.