Talking Rheumatology Research
Talking Rheumatology Research is a podcast from the British Society for Rheumatology that highlights recent findings and developments in the field of rheumatology. Each episode explores studies published in the society's journals, including Rheumatology and Rheumatology Advances in Practice, as well as other relevant research. The show aims to keep clinicians and researchers informed about the latest evidence and its potential impact on patient care.
Episodes
Ep 51. Infliximab vs interferon-α in the treatment of Behçet’s syndrome: clinical data from the BIO-BEHÇET’S randomized controlled trial
In this episode, recorded live at BSR25, Professor Robert J Moots joins Professor Ernest Choy to discuss their article reporting on a randomized, controlled, head-to-head clinical trial comparing the two most frequently used biologics in active refractory Behçet’s.Listen now to hear the findings and what this means for future clinical practice! Further reading: You can read this article [https://
Ep 50. Modifiable risk factors and therapeutic targets in polymyalgia rheumatica
How can we identify modifiable risk factors and new therapeutic targets in polymyalgia rheumatica?In this episode, recorded live at BSR25, Prof Ernest Choy and Dr Steven Zhao discuss Steven's genome-wide meta-analysis and Mendelian randomisation study. They cover the key findings, which include some novel loci and potential therapeutic targets for PMR, as well as the hallmarks of a good Mende
Ep 49. Improving time to diagnosis in axial spondyloarthritis
How can we improve time from symptom onset to axSpA diagnosis?In this episode, Dr Fabian Proft talks to Dr Antoni Chan about his fantastic work to reduce time to diagnosis in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) using an integrated referral and education system. They discuss the importance of a multi-pronged approach to education, as well as how clinicians might start improving time to axSpA diagnosis
Ep 48. Deciphering difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis
Should there be distinct definitions for difficult-to-treat and complex-to-manage psoriatic arthritis?In this episode of Talking Rheumatology Research, Dr Fabian Proft and Dr Andre Ribeiro join Dr Ai Lyn Tan to discuss their work to define difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis, as part of GRAPPA's wider D2T-PsA project. Find out more: Deciphering difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis (D2T-P
Ep 47. Relapse after cessation of weekly tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis
Dr. Vanessa Quick joins Dr. Ernest Choy to discuss her recent article on the impact of qwTCZ cessation on GCA patients. Looking at relapse rates and key risk factors, this discussion highlights the need for improving access to care and treatment for GCA patients, including increasing disease awareness, faster referral to specialised care, better access to diagnostic tools, and a multidisciplinary
Ep 46. Patient involvement in Rheumatology research
Peter Boyd and Ingrid de Groot join Dr. Latika Gupta to explore the value of patient involvement in Rheumatology research. Reflecting on their lived experience, Peter and Ingrid discuss their proudest moments, and identify areas in the patient and physician partnership that they hope to improve in the future.Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #T
Ep 45. Community awareness of childhood arthritis in the UK
Recorded at #BSR24, Richard P Beesley joins Dr Ai Lyn Tan to discuss his recent article, which measured the level of community awareness in the UK that children and young people can develop arthritis.Listen now to hear about what you can do to help raise awareness of childhood arthritis, and why this is so important.You can read this article [https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkad099] in Rheumatology Ad
Ep 44. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases
In this fascinating episode recorded at #BSR24, Dr Melanie Sloan joins Prof Ernest Choy to discuss the latest results from the INSPIRE study, which seeks to understand neuropsychiatric symptom prevalence and impact in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Dr Melanie Sloan is a researcher in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge. Her r
Ep 43. The metaverse: a new frontier for rheumatology
Dr Jason E Liebowitz joins Dr Marwan Bukhari to discuss the metaverse and how the field of rheumatology can utilise virtual and augmented reality to improve the lives of patients.Listen now to hear about the current technological developments and what this means for future clinical practice! You can read this article [https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kead534] in Rheumatology.Thanks for listeni
Ep 42. Combination therapy or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with progressive systemic sclerosis?
Professor Doron Rimar joins Dr Cristiana Sieiro Santos to discuss their article, which retrospectively compares the outcomes of SSc patients who underwent AHSCT to patients who met the eligibility criteria for AHSCT but received upfront combination therapy with MMF and rituximab.Listen now to hear the findings and what this means for future clinical practice! You can read this article [https://doi
Ep 41. Addressing the leaky pipeline
What is the leaky pipeline and how do we address it? Prof Christina Duftner (University of Innsbruck) and Prof Isabella Grabner (Vienna University of Economics and Business) join Dr Latika Gupta to discuss the diminishing proportion of women in higher ranking and leadership roles within rheumatology. Want to read more? Here's your further reading list:1. Read Christina and Isabella's ful
Ep 40. New Editor-in-Chief: Introducing Prof Ernest Choy
We're delighted to announce Prof Ernest Choy (University of Cardiff) as the incoming Editor-in-Chief of Rheumatology. In this episode, recorded at ACR23, Ernest tells us about his plans for the journal and the type of research he's keen to see. Ernest will take the reins from Dr Marwan Bukhari (Royal Lancaster Infirmary), who finishes his highly productive term as Editor-in-Chief in Febr
Ep 39. UK JIA Biologics Register: stopping biologics for remission
What happens when children and young people with JIA stop biologic therapies for remission? Dr Lianne Kearsley-Fleet and Dr Coziana Ciurtin join Dr Herman Tam to discuss their analysis of the UK JIA Biologics Register. Lianne is an epidemiologist and lead analyst of the UK JIA Biologics Register, based at the University of Manchester. Coziana is a consultant rheumatologist based at University Coll
Ep 38. Is risankizumab safe and effective for active psoriatic arthritis? Results from the KEEPsAKE 2 study
Dr Andrew Östör joins Dr Marwan Bukhari to discuss their article, chosen as the June Editor's Choice article, which evaluates the 52-week efficacy and safety of risankizumab 150 mg in patients with active PsA who had previous inadequate response/intolerance to one or two biologic therapies (Bio-IR) or one or more conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARD-IR).Listen now to hear the findings and w
Ep 37. Can MSUS and RADAI-F5 help to identify RA patients at risk of poor functional and radiological outcomes?
Anika Hoque joins Dr Michael Backhouse to discuss their recent article, which examines the construct validity of the RA foot disease activity index in relationship to musculoskeletal ultrasonography and clinical examination.Listen now to hear the findings, and what this means for future clinical practice and the impact on RA patients at risk for poor functional and radiological outcomes.You can re
Ep 36. Trainee Publishing Programme 2023: Dr Charlotte Sharp & Karen Staniland
Can patients with rheumatoid arthritis examine their own joints? Dr David Liew talks to Dr Charlotte Sharp and Karen Staniland about their work to create a video teaching patients how to self-examine tender and swollen joints. Charlotte is now a consultant rheumatologist based in Manchester and has an interest in applied health research. Karen is the patient and public involvement lead for the REM
Ep 35. Trainee Publishing Programme 2023: Dr Pallavi Shamdasani
How can we best diagnose septic arthritis in the acute care setting? Dr Pallavi Shamdasani joins Prof Rene Westhovens to discuss the utility of synovial aspiration and intra-operative synovial fluid and tissue culture for the accurate diagnosis of septic arthritis.Dr Shamdasani is a dual trained rheumatologist and obstetric medicine physician based in Melbourne, Australia. Her paper was a winning
Ep 34. Trainee Publishing Programme 2023: Dr Shivani Gor & Dr Sung-Hee Kim
What is the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and disease flares in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA)? Dr Shivani Gor and Dr Sung-Hee Kim join Dr Mwidimi Ndosi to discuss their retrospective study, which used C-reactive protein as a marker to determine the proportion of IA patients who had a flare within four weeks of receiving a vaccination for COVID-19. Dr Gor and Dr Kim are cur
Ep 33. Trainee Publishing Programme 2023: Dr Lauren Huckerby
What evidence is there for effective transitional care in young people with chronic pain, and what should ideal transitional care look like? Dr Lauren Huckerby joins Dr Diederik De Cock to discuss her recent systematic review - one of the winning papers from the 2023 Rheumatology Advances in Practice Trainee Publishing Programme. Dr Huckerby is a paediatric and adolescent rheumatology registrar at
Ep 32. Trainee Publishing Programme 2023: Dr Cristiana Sieiro Santos
Can we classify the clinical phenotype of systemic sclerosis by autoantibodies? Dr Cristiana Sieiro Santos joins Dr Anastasia Madenidou to discuss her recent article - one of the winning papers from the 2023 Rheumatology Advances in Practice Trainee Publishing Programme. Dr Sieiro Santos is currently a rheumatology trainee at Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Spain, and is working on her
Ep 31. Are AAV patients at an increased risk of stroke?
Dr Aladdin J Mohammad joins Dr Marwan Bukhari to discuss their article, chosen as the August Editor's Choice article, which determines the incidence rate, predictors and outcome of stroke in a population-based cohort of individuals with ANCA-associated vasculitis. Listen now to hear the findings and what this means for future clinical practice! You can read this article [https://doi.org/10.10
Ep 30. Diagnosing cocaine-induced vasculitis
How can you differentiate between cocaine-induced and ANCA-associated vasculitis? Dr Sander van Leuven joins Dr David Liew to discuss a recent case series analysis from centres in Birmingham and London. Sander is a consultant rheumatologist in Nejmegen, the Netherlands. He previously trained in London, where he conducted a 15-year retrospective study of cocaine-associated pseudovasculitis. Want to
Ep 29. Does vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection cause adverse events among SLE patients?
Dr Ioannis Parodis and Dr Elena Nikiphorou join Dr Eunice Co to discuss their findings in the COVAD study of the safety and tolerance of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection in systemic lupus erythematosus. Listen now to hear the results of a study involving 9462 participants and 106 investigators in 94 countries! You can read this article [https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keac661] in Rheuma
Ep 28. Does ultrasound-defined tenosynovitis and synovitis aid the prediction of persistent arthritis?
Dr Ilfita Sahbudin joins Dr Marwan Bukhari to discuss the value of ultrasound-defined tenosynovitis and synovitis in the prediction of persistent arthritis in an inception cohort of DMARD-naive patients with early arthritis. Listen now to hear the results of a study involving one hundred and fifty DMARD-naïve patients and the implications for future clinical practice! You can read this article [ht
Ep 27. Is secukinumab safe and effective in ankylosing spondylitis?
Do real-world data demonstrate that secukinumab is safe and effective for use in ankylosing spondylitis? Dr Adeola Ajibade joins Dr Ai Lyn Tan to discuss her recent paper - a multicentre, retrospective record-based review of the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis across centres in the UK.Dr Ajibade is currently a specialist grade doctor at Taunton & Some
Ep 26. Dr Polly Livermore and Heather Rostron discuss their future research plans
Dr Polly Livermore (Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK) and Heather Rostron (Leeds Children’s Hospital, UK) join Caroline Groves to discuss their future research plans to improve clinical care and support processes for children, young people, and their families, with rheumatic diseases.Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, twee
Ep 25. How does symptom duration before DMARD therapy impact the costs of RA?
Dr Ilfita Sahbudin (University of Birmingham, UK) joins Dr Ai Lyn Tan to discuss the relationship between symptom/disease duration and resource utilisation/costs following rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.Want to read the full paper? Find it here. Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, tweet us @RheumJnl, or find us on Instagram
Ep 24. Risk of myocardial infarction among RA patients receiving IL6 or TNF inhibitors
British Society for Rheumatology Young Investigator Award winner Dr Zixing Tian (University of Manchester, UK) joins Dr Steven Zhao to discuss the work behind the winning abstract 'No difference in risk of myocardial infarction among patients receiving either IL6 or TNF inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis', and the implications for future research. This abstract was presented at the rheu
Ep 23. The long-term use of tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis
Dr Sean Gill and Dr Chetan Mukhtyar (Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, UK) discuss the efficacy of tocilizumab for GCA, based on a 12-month extension of Stone et al.’s landmark clinical trial. Dr Mukhtyar provides an overview of the trial, including key findings, limitations, and implications for clinical practice. Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab418Keywords: Giant
Ep 22. The top 10 research priorities in psoriatic arthritis
What are the top 10 research priorities in psoriatic arthritis? Louise Hailey and Associate Prof. Laura Coates (both University of Oxford, UK) join Dr Pankti Mehta to discuss. Research priorities were identified by the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, comprising people living with PsA, carers and clinicians, and supported by the James Lind Alliance. Read the full paper: The top 10
Ep 21. Ultrasonography in the prediction of gout flares
Ultrasonography in the prediction of gout flares: a 12-month prospective observational studyDr Edoardo Cipolletta (Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy) joins Marwan Bukhari to discuss the March Editor's choice article on ultrasonography in the prediction of gout flares. Here, Dr Cipolletta discusses whether ultrasonography adds to the value of clinical findings in estimating the risk of f
Ep 20. Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in juvenile-onset IRDs
Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents with juvenile-onset inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs).Dr Amit Ziv and Prof Yosef Uziel (both Tel Aviv University and Meir Medical Center, Israel) join Dr Herman Tam to discuss the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in preventing infection in adolescents with juvenile-onset IRDs.You can read this article in
Ep 19. A new autoantibody associated with anti-synthetase syndrome
A new autoantibody to valyl transfer RNA synthetase associated with anti-synthetase syndrome Dr Tsuneo Sasai and Dr Ran Nakashima (both Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan) join Dr Latika Gupta to discuss a 43-year-old male patient clinically diagnosed with anti-synthetase syndrome but lacking any known disease-specific autoantibodies. They identify a new autoantibody directed agai
Ep 18. Long-term use of glucocorticoids for polymyalgia rheumatica
Long-term use of glucocorticoids for polymyalgia rheumatica: follow-up of the PMR Cohort study Dr Sara Muller (Keele University, UK) and Prof Samantha Hider (Keele University, UK) join Dr Sheilla Achieng to discuss a follow-up to the PMR cohort study, an inception cohort of 652 patients from English general practices who were diagnosed with PMR between 2012 and 2014. They identify the main findin
Ep 17. Patient-led smartphone images show progression of SSc-related digital ulcers
Smartphone images of systemic sclerosis-related digital ulcers provide a clear picture of disease progression for the first rheumatology visit. Dr Anastasia Madenidou (University of Manchester, UK ) and Dr Graham Dinsdale (Salford Royal Hospital & University of Manchester, UK) join Dr Latika Gupta to discuss their report of a patient with SSc-related digital ulcers who took the initiative to t
Ep 16. Celebrating women in rheumatology
In our final episode of 2022, Dr Alla Ishchenko (UZ Leuven, Belgium) joins Dr Latika Gupta to celebrate the achievements of leading women in rheumatology. You can read the full paper here. Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, tweet us @RheumJnl, or find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Want to read more rheumatology research?
Ep 15. Experiences of delivering interventions for fatigue
Dr Sarah Bennett (University of Bristol, UK) joins Prof Diederik de Cock to discuss results from the LIFT study – a randomised trial exploring interventions to support people with fatigue. Here, Dr Bennett talks us through the experiences of both the health professionals delivering these interventions and the patients receiving them. You can read more about therapist and patient experiences of
Ep 14. Educational attainment and clinically suspect arthralgia
Dr Sarah Khidir and Dr Elise van Mulligen (Leiden UMC, the Netherlands) join Dr Pankti Mehta to discuss the link between educational attainment and clinically suspect arthralgia. Using data from two cohorts, they identified an association between low educational attainment and increased risk of progression from arthralgia to inflammatory arthritis. Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatol
Ep 13. Reduced cognitive ability in RA
Dr Ai Lyn Tan speaks to Dr James Gwinnutt (University of Manchester, UK) about cognitive impairment in people with rheumatoid arthritis.Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkab044Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, tweet us @RheumJnl, or find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Want to read more rheumatology researc
Ep 12. Precision medicine in autoimmune diseases
Dr Chris Wincup and Dr Marta Alarcón-Riquelme (GENYO, Spain) discuss the use of precision medicine in autoimmune diseases.Find the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab448Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, tweet us @RheumJnl, or find us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Want to read more rheumatology research? E
Ep 11. Air pollution and RA flares
On today's episode, Dr Giovanni Adami (Verona, Italy) joins Dr Marwan Bukhari to discuss the association between environmental air pollution and rheumatoid arthritis flares.Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab049Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, tweet us @RheumJnl, or find us on Instagram an
Ep 10. The controversial argument for glucocorticoids and bone health
Dr Marwan Bukhari (Royal Lancaster Infirmary, UK) and Prof. Maarten Boers (Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands) join Dr Ai Lyn Tan to discuss the effects of glucocorticoids on bone health. Their observational data suggest that glucocorticoids do not have the detrimental impact on bone health that we have come to expect – a rather controversial finding indeed.Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/
Ep 9. Phase 2 trial of dapirolizumab pegol in SLE
Prof Richard Furie (New York, USA) and Dr Anastasia Madenidou evaluate the Phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of dapirolizumab pegol in patients with moderate-to-severe active systemic lupus erythematosus. They discuss the unique dose-response relationship endpoint used in this trial and the plans for Phase 3.Read the paper hereThanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join
Ep 8. Risk of VTE associated with tofacitinib in RA
Dr Rishi Desai (Boston, USA) and Dr Marwan Bukhari discuss the risk of venous thromboembolism associated with tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis. Dr Desai’s recent paper used claims data to compare the risk of VTE with tofacitinib vs. TNFis. Read the paper hereThanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheumResearch, tweet us @RheumJnl, or fin
Ep 7. Ultrasound imaging sub-phenotypes in PsA
Dr Lihi Eder (Toronto, Canada) joins Dr Steven Zhao to discuss ultrasound imaging sub-phenotypes in psoriatic arthritis. They discuss clinical vs. imaging clusters of PsA manifestations, the possibility of coagulation and platelet pathway mediation of imaging phenotypes, and more. Read the paper hereThanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRh
Ep 6. Scoring SLE with the Easy-BILAG
Today's podcast guest is Dr Lucy Carter (Leeds, UK), who joins Dr Chris Wincup to talk about the Easy-BILAG - a comprehensive but simplified version of the BILAG-2004 index for scoring SLE disease activity. They discuss the user-friendly design, training requirements, use with newly approved drugs, and more.Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab883Thanks for listening
Ep 5. VEXAS syndrome
Dr Peter Grayson (NIH, Bethesda, USA) joins Dr Puja Mehta to discuss VEXAS syndrome. They cover the discovery of VEXAS, how to spot the syndrome in patients, the importance of cross-specialty working, and more. Dr Grayson’s NEJM paper can be found here: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2026834This episode was originally published in May 2021. Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Rese
Ep 4. De novo lupus nephritis and belimumab
Prof Christopher Sjöwall (Linköping, Sweden) and Dr Anastastia Madenidou discuss de novo lupus nephritis during treatment with belimumab. They cover the process of collecting observational data, the approval of belimumab for use in lupus nephritis, and implications for clinical practice. Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keaa796Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology R
Ep 3. Cytokine storm syndromes
Dr David Fajgenbaum (University of Pennsylvania, USA) and Dr Puja Mehta discuss cytokine storm syndromes. They consider the definition of cytokine storms and whether COVID-19 meets these criteria, as well as Dr Fajgenbaum’s research journey, as described in his bestselling memoir, 'Chasing my Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action'. Read the paper here: https://www.nejm.org
Ep 2. Improving outcomes for hospitalised gout patients
Dr Mark Russell (King's College London, UK) joins Dr Sean Gill to talk about improving outcomes for patients hospitalised with gout. They identify several strategies to improve practice and highlight key gaps in the literature that could be addressed by future research. Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab539Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology Research! Join
Ep 1. CT-P13 and the PERSIST study
Prof Peter Taylor (Oxford, UK) joins Dr David Liew to discuss results from the PERSIST study, a real-world, observational, prospective cohort study of CT-P13 for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkab026This episode was originally published in December 2021. Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatolog
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