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ACR on Air

ACR on Air

American College of Rheumatology 144 Episodes Aug 11, 2026

ACR on Air is the official podcast of the American College of Rheumatology. It features informative and engaging conversations on topics relevant to rheumatology professionals, including trends in clinical practice, issues affecting the field, and the changing landscape of rheumatology. New episodes are released twice a month with interviews and commentary.

Episodes

The 2026 Adult/Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Guidelines
The 2026 Adult/Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Guidelines Aug 11, 2026 44:47 The new clinical guidelines for juvenile and adult axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), developed collaboratively by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA), and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN), mark an important evolution in the management of this complex disease. In this episode, Drs. Liron Caplan and Matthew Stoll discu
Still's Disease and Hyperinflammation
Still's Disease and Hyperinflammation Jul 28, 2026 51:59 In this episode, Dr. Randy Q. Cron discusses hyperinflammation and Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), one of the most serious complications of Still's disease. Because MAS can mimic infection, sepsis, malignancy, or a disease flare, early recognition is critical—and treatment often must begin before every diagnostic criterion is met. We explore the clinical patterns and laboratory findings that
Understanding Haploinsufficiency of A20
Understanding Haploinsufficiency of A20 Jul 14, 2026 43:55 What if some patients who never quite fit their diagnosis actually have an underlying genetic disorder? In this episode, we explore Haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20), a condition first described less than a decade ago that is already reshaping our understanding of autoinflammation, autoimmunity, and immune dysregulation. How many patients in our clinics have a genetic diagnosis we've never thought 
Chronic Inflammatory Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis
Chronic Inflammatory Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis Jun 30, 2026 50:06 Could chronic inflammatory calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) be hiding in plain sight? In this episode, we explore why CPPD may be far more common than previously recognized, how it can masquerade as conditions such as refractory inflammatory arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and erosive osteoarthritis, and why it is so often overlooked in clinical practice. We discuss the growing r
2026 ACR JIA Guidelines: What Clinicians Need to Know
2026 ACR JIA Guidelines: What Clinicians Need to Know Jun 16, 2026 50:31 The 2026 ACR Guidelines for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are here, and lead author Dr. Karen Onel joins us to unpack the key updates shaping pediatric rheumatology care. From a biologics-first approach in systemic JIA to more individualized treatment pathways for non-systemic disease, the new recommendations emphasize earlier intervention, faster treatment tailoring, and risk-based decisio
Cell Therapy in Rheumatology: CAR-T vs Regulatory T Cells
Cell Therapy in Rheumatology: CAR-T vs Regulatory T Cells Jun 2, 2026 30:04 In the future, can autoimmune disease become curable? A groundbreaking study from Germany suggests there may be a pathway in some cases. Patients with severe, treatment-refractory lupus who received CD19 CAR-T cell therapy have remained in drug-free remission for up to five years without ongoing immunosuppression. In this episode, we discuss how these findings are shifting the conversation from di
50 Years of Pediatric Rheumatology: A Retrospective
50 Years of Pediatric Rheumatology: A Retrospective May 19, 2026 29:14 Fifty years ago, pediatric rheumatic disease was often marked by disability, limited treatment options, and low expectations for long-term outcomes. In 1976, a small group of clinicians and scientists helped launch a new understanding of immune-mediated disease in children and laid the foundation for modern pediatric rheumatology. In this episode, we explore how the field evolved from managing chr
VEXAS Syndrome: What You Need to Know
VEXAS Syndrome: What You Need to Know May 5, 2026 38:30 Today, we discuss a new guidance statement from the American College of Rheumatology aimed at bringing much-needed structure to the evaluation and management of patients with VEXAS. This episode breaks down key recommendations, including who should be tested, the best approaches to diagnostic evaluation, how to interpret bone marrow findings, and emerging strategies for treatment—offering clarity
Support for Private Practice
Support for Private Practice Apr 21, 2026 39:51 Private rheumatology practice is contracting under multi-directional pressure: shrinking margins, escalating prior authorizations, tightening Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and payer restrictions on drug access, and instability across core revenue streams. At the same time, demand is rising, wait times are surging, and workforce shortages are intensifying—driving clinician burnout and retention
Pericardial Diseases in Rheumatology & Beyond
Pericardial Diseases in Rheumatology & Beyond Apr 7, 2026 50:30 Pericardial Disease is couched between two medical disciplines: Cardiology and Rheumatology, and those with these conditions visit medical professionals viewing their treatment through one lens or the other. This episode addresses the shifting reality that pericarditis and myocarditis are no longer separate silos but rather takes the broader view of inflammatory heart disease. We'll examine how rh
Current and Evolving Treatments for Myositis
Current and Evolving Treatments for Myositis Mar 24, 2026 37:35 For years, myositis treatment has relied on broad immune suppression with drugs like steroids, methotrexate, and rituximab—but what if we could target the disease more precisely? Inflammatory myopathies are not a single condition, but a group of biologically distinct syndromes with different clinical features and immune pathways. As our understanding evolves, so does the potential for more persona
Strategies for Workforce Retention
Strategies for Workforce Retention Mar 10, 2026 35:49 In this episode, we discuss the growing workforce challenges in rheumatology with nurse practitioner Chris Estes. Chris shares how he entered the field, the training he received early in his career, and how he developed expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound. The conversation explores how advanced practice providers (APPs) can help address rheumatology workforce shortages by expanding access to c

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