ACR Journals on Air Podcast
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: Arthritis & Rheumatology, Arthritis Care & Research, and ACR Open Rheumatology. 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.
Podcast Host
Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, MRCP, CCD, has clinical expertise caring for patients with autoimmune diseases, vasculitis, and chronic wounds. She has led several research studies investigating scleroderma, hidradenitis suppurativa, and the interplay of the host immune response and the microbiome in chronic wounds. Dr. Shanmugam is a frequently invited speaker at professional meetings. Her work in wound healing, hidradenitis, and scleroderma has been published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, such as Arthritis Care and Research, Current Opinion in Rheumatology, International Wound Journal, and Clinical Rheumatology. Connect with Dr. Shanmugam on Twitter (@VickiShanmugam).
Episodes
New episodes will be available twice a month on Tuesdays.
Episode 63 – Weight Loss for Gout: What does the data say?
Episode 62 – IV Secukinumab for Axial Spondyloarthritis
Episode 61 – ANA In All of Us
Episode 60 – Immunology for the Rheumatologist: Fever Pitch
Episode 59 – Immunology for the Rheumatologist: NETs in Lupus
Browse previous episodes in the ACR Journals on Air archive.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode, we chat with Sho Fukui, MD, about his recent study on rising uric acid levels and what’s driving the increase. We dig into the links between weight, obesity, and gout, and hear how a huge health checkup database in Japan helped uncover some eye-opening trends. Dr. Fukui breaks down the findings in simple terms, shares how they compare to older studies like MRFIT, and talks about what they could mean for treatments like GLP-1s. Plus, we get a sneak peek at the exciting research he’s working on next!
Sho Fukui, MD – Sho Fukui, MD, is a Japanese rheumatologist currently serving as a Research Fellow in the Division of Rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Fukui earned his MD from Nagoya City University in 2014. He subsequently completed his Internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo. He obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) in 2022 and is currently a PhD candidate at Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan. His work centers on clinical research aimed at the epidemiology of gout and serum urate levels, as well as understanding the interplay between rheumatoid arthritis and kidney function. With a background in public health and extensive clinical experience, Dr. Fukui is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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In this episode, we’re joined by Atul Deodhar, MD, MRCP, FACR, FACP, a leading expert in the field of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). Dr. Deodhar shares insights from his groundbreaking research on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of AxSpA, particularly focusing on the efficacy and safety of IV secukinumab. We dive deep into his study, INVIGORATE-1, exploring the methods behind it, including the use of Interactive Response Technology, and the primary and secondary endpoints that shed light on this treatment’s impact. We also discuss the latest data on patient preferences for subcutaneous versus intravenous immunomodulators and the implications of these findings. Tune in for an informative and engaging conversation that blends cutting-edge science with thoughtful reflections on patient care.
Atul Deodhar, MD, MRCP, FACR, FACP – Atul Deodhar, MD, MRCP, FACR, FACP, is Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of rheumatology clinics at the Division of Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases in Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology; and is a fellow of the American College of Rheumatology, and the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Deodhar is a past chair of SPARTAN, has served on the Steering Committee of GRAPPA, and has served the ACR in various capacities including being the vice-chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee.
Dr. Deodhar is the Editor-in-Chief of Best Practice and Research Clinical Rheumatology. He has authored 3 books, over 300 peer-reviewed articles, several editorials, and many book chapters, including in Harrison’s textbook of medicine. He has been a principal or co-investigator in more than 100 clinical trials, mostly focused on therapies for axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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This week, we explore the genetics behind the production of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in individuals without clinical autoimmune disease, using data from the All of Us registry. Our guest, Mehmet Hocaoglu, MD, shares insights into the significance of understanding ANA positivity and its potential genetic underpinnings, highlighting how large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can predict susceptibility to autoimmune conditions. We cover the study's methodology, the unique All of Us dataset, and the complexities of genetic analysis. Dr. Hocaoglu also discusses his personal journey in rheumatology research, offering advice for aspiring researchers, especially international medical graduates (IMGs).
Mehmet Hocaoglu, MD – Mehmet Hocaoglu, MD, is a second-year rheumatology fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a graduate student in the Computational Biology and Biomedicine Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated from Istanbul University School of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Maryland. He did a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic focusing on the epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus and related disorders through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded national lupus registry.
For the past two years, he has been working under the mentorship of Dr. Amr Sawalha, conducting research on the genetic epidemiology of systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases. His work has been published in high-impact journals, including Arthritis & Rheumatology, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Autoimmunity Reviews, and Mayo Clinic Proceedings. He has received the Medical Resident Research Award and the Resident Research Preceptorship from the Rheumatology Research Foundation. His future research interests include developing personalized medicine approaches in rheumatology and applying machine learning to omics-level data to gain insights into the pathogenesis of systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases.
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In this episode, we are joined by Peter A. Nigrovic, MD, an expert in the complexities of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The discussion covers the syndrome's history, diagnostic challenges, mechanisms of inflammation, and the latest treatment strategies, including cytokine blockade, JAK inhibitors, and chemotherapy options. Dr. Nigrovic also reflects on his unique career journey, offering valuable insights into combining clinical practice and research, while sharing his philosophy for a fulfilling life in medicine and science. This episode is a thorough exploration of MAS and provides practical advice for clinicians dealing with this complex syndrome.
Peter A. Nigrovic, MD – Peter A. Nigrovic, MD, is a dual-boarded pediatric and adult rheumatologist and Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Harvard Medical School, where he holds the Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud Chair in Pediatrics. He is Chief of the Division of Immunology at Boston Children's Hospital and founding director of the Center for Adults with Pediatric Rheumatic Illness (CAPRI) at Brigham and Women's Hospital. His laboratory studies basic mechanisms of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. He directs the NIAMS-founded Joint Biology Consortium (JBC) research infrastructure, served as founding co-chair of the ACR’s AMIGO mentoring program in pediatric rheumatology, and is a deputy editor of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
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In this episode we explore the role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Mariana J. Kaplan, MD, Chief of the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch at the National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, joins the discussion to break down the complex immunological mechanisms driving lupus, focusing on the contribution of NETs and Low-Density Granulocytes (LDGs) to disease activity and tissue damage. The conversation delves into the potential for these biological markers to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies, particularly in the context of lupus flares and cardiovascular complications.
Mariana J. Kaplan, MD – Mariana J. Kaplan, MD, is NIH Distinguished Investigator, Chief of the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch and Deputy Scientific Director at the Intramural Research Program at NIAMS. Before her appointment, she was a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Michigan. Dr. Kaplan completed her Rheumatology Fellowship and postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan, where she was a member of the faculty for 15 years and an active member of their Multidisciplinary Lupus Clinic. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Kaplan is an active clinician and teacher. She sees lupus patients in the NIH Clinical Research Center and is involved in the development of various clinical trials for patients with autoimmune diseases at the NIH. She has served in numerous roles at the American College of Rheumatology/Rheumatology Research Foundation, the American Association of Immunologists, and the Lupus Foundation of America.
Dr. Kaplan's research has focused on identifying mechanisms of immune dysregulation, organ damage, and premature vascular disease in systemic autoimmunity. More specifically, she investigates how innate immunity (in particular, type I interferons and myeloid cells) promote autoimmune responses and end-organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other systemic autoimmune diseases.
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