In this episode of the Joint Space podcast, University of Arizona Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director and Banner Health Rheumatologist Ernest Vina, MD, MS, provides insight and hope for the future of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Show highlights:

(00:00) Intro

(04:11) What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and what are its primary signs and symptoms?

(05:08) What made you interested in the field of rheumatology?

(06:40) What causes RA?

(08:19) What organ systems can be involved in RA?

(09:49) How is RA diagnosed?

(11:27) What are you looking for in imaging for RA?

(12:39) What is the next step after diagnosing RA?

(14:29) What is the breakdown of RA by age, sex, and ethnicity?

(15:46) Can RA develop in a young person?

(16:36) Is the onset of RA insidious or abrupt?

(17:13) How is remission predicted and achieved for RA?

(18:49) What about movement and activity for RA patients?

(19:50) Is there a greater incidence of surgical intervention for RA?

(21:05) What is on the horizon for RA treatment in the upcoming years?

(24:13) As the rheumatology fellowship program director, what makes an effective rheumatologist?

(26:03) For the listener concerned about having RA, what is the first step?

The Joint Space podcast is brought to you by the University of Arizona Arthritis Center, one of the first four Centers of Excellence in the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson.

Joint Space is produced by Greg Gilles with assistance from Luke Grawer and Dagoberto Robles, MPH. Graphics were created by Luke Padwe.

Our theme music is courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Yogi⁠⁠⁠⁠ and John Pattern.

To learn more about the University of Arizona Arthritis Center, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠arthritis.arizona.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.