In this episode we'll be introducing the process by which the 2021 ACR/VF guidelines were produced.  My guest is Dr. Sharon Chung.  She's the director of the UCSF Vasculitis Clinic and the lead investigator on the guideline committee.  Please follow along with future episodes - you can find me @ebrheum and the Vasculitis Foundation is at @vasculitisfound and their website vasculitisfoundation.org.

Welcome to the first episode of the Vasculitis Guidelines Podcast! In Episode 1, I interview Joyce  Kullman, Executive Director of the Vasculitis Foundation, about collaborating with the ACR in updating these guidelines, and how patients with vasculitis will ultimately benefit from them. We discuss the complex process of updating these critical guidelines involve years of input from researchers, physicians, and patient themselves.

Quick update on a new series! 

Steroid free remission! Or is it? This week I discuss a really exciting trial in ANCA vasculitis.  

I stole some time to tackle a pressing issue for rheumatologists - to hold or not to hold immunosuppression in patients who are receiving a COVID19 vaccination.  We obviously don't have any data on this, but I have always loved this study on influenza vaccination.  PDFs at ebrheum.com/twts and follow me on twitter @ebrheum! 

We have a great show for you this week!  Anisha Dua will be moderating a debate
between myself and Max Konig on this motion: "Hydroxychloroquine levels should be monitored in patients with SLE."  I learned a ton and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Be sure to vote on the post-debate twitter poll to decide the winner! 

This week I cover another of my meta-research projects, this one on systematic review and meta analysis (SRMA) growth as compared to randomized clinical trial (RCT) growth.  Short and to the point - hope you enjoy! I highly recommend checking out the associated graphs - just take a quick peek at some point while listening. Find them on my twitter handle @ebrheum 

Active comparator trial! Always my favorite.  Lots of fun topics in this one, including noninferiority trials, crafty endpoints, and PROs.  Check it out and let me know what you think! @ebrheum 

Another day, another lupus trial, another round of endpoint shenanigans.  Why does that matter? How big is the benefit from belimumab in SLE nephritis? Will this save lives and prevent ESRD / RRT? I try to tackle these issues this week and (hopefully) avoid getting myself in trouble.  Hope you enjoy the episode!  Let me know what you think @ebrheum on twitter! 

Great paper to discuss this week - one that may be too good to believe? I highly recommend checking out the pdf first (ebrheum.com/twts) - their graphics are wonderful and do a great job of conveying their message.  Also, check out the "2-5-10" rule that I referenced!  This is required reading for anyone who rotates with me - easily one of the most useful EBM papers I have ever read.