In this episode of ACR on Air we begin the first entry in our Vasculitis miniseries with Dr. Sharon Chung, where we take a detailed examination of the 2021 ACR/VF guidelines for managing systemic vasculitis. In part one of the series Dr. Chung will discuss the importance and creation of the guidelines along with the impact the author's hope to achieve. We then dive into the recommendations for ANCA-associated vasculitis, including: GPA, EGPA and NPA.

The ACR continues to learn more about navigating COVID-19 in rheumatology patients. Dr. Jeff Curtis, Chair of the ACR COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Task Force, joins us to discuss vaccine 3rd doses, antibody testing, real-world-data, updated task force recommendations, monoclonal antibody treatment, and more.

On this episode,  Dr. Monica Guma joins the show to talk about how diet may impact these conditions—positively or negatively.

Dr. Chenchen Wang joins the show to discuss popular alternative therapies*, address a few myths, and offer insight on how rheumatologists can support patients interested in these alternative options. *The host, Dr. Wang nor the ACR suggests that patients with rheumatic conditions forgo traditional treatment plans recommended by trained rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. Patients should continue to see their rheumatologist for updates or additions to their treatment plan.

This month, our host takes a look back on the telemedicine journey many health care providers and patients navigated in 2020. Dr. Christine Peoples and Dr. Aruni Jayatilleke join as guests sharing their experiences and tips on digitally treating patients with rheumatic diseases.

This show is a special one and covers a topic that so many of you have been asking about! The American College of Rheumatology just released its guidance summary on the COVID-19 vaccine for patients with rheumatic diseases, and we have the lead author, Dr. Jeff Curtis, on the show to discuss the research and recommendations.

This month’s show focuses on advocacy in the rheumatology space. Our host chats with Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel, director of congressional affairs for the ACR; and Amanda Grimm Wiegrefe, the ACR’s director of regulatory affairs about advocacy wins and losses for 2020, the upcoming priorities for 2021, and how listeners can get involved.

This month’s show features a guest author discussing, Dr. Yusuf Yazici, discussing his team’s efforts to create a drug treatment for osteoarthritis. The study was published in the American College of Rheumatology’s journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology.

This month we’re giving you a preview of ACR Convergence 2020, the ACR’s annual meeting, which will be held Nov. 5 – 9 in an all-virtual environment. Our host chats with Dr. Vicki Shanmugam and Dr. Swamy Venuturupalli about the shift to a virtual event this year, what’s changing and staying the same, must attend sessions including special COVID-19 discussions and what participants can expect from this all-encompassing experience.