EULAR-EMEUNET Interest Groups
We would like to invite you to participate in the inaugural edition of the “ EULAR/EMEUNET Interest groups ” during the virtual EULAR Congress 2022.
Interest Groups are a virtual initiative with the aim to offer networking space for the researchers/clinicians interested in a specific topic. In each group we will offer 1) a live chat forum to virtually interact during the whole congress and 2) participation in a live video interactive discussion with the rest of the group and an invited speaker.
Each Interest Group is led and organized by an EMEUNET Moderator and an invited Senior Scientist, who will discuss a sub-topic of current interest for the rheumatologic community, aligned with EULAR sessions.
This is a unique opportunity to meet and interact with colleagues from the field and discuss hot topics during the EULAR 2022 Congress, please join us!
You will find the complete program of the seven Interest Groups down below, we hope you will find them of interest!
Please also see *here* detailed description about how to find the Interest groups in the virtual platform (just go to the “Networking” part of the platform).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Interest Group 1: Basic and translational research
- Presenter: Blaz Burja
- Senior: Prof. Buckley
- Time: Thursday 2nd June; 9.30-10.30
Cross-tissue targeting of pathogenic fibroblast subsets: where do we stand?
The traditional view of fibroblasts as the only structural framework of human tissue has changed considerably by discovering their active roles in shaping tissue microenvironment in health and disease. Pathogenic fibroblasts represent key drivers of chronic inflammation, fibrosis and tissue damage; fibroblast-targeting strategies, however, remain scarce. The era of new technologies, such as single-cell transcriptomics, revolutionized our understanding of intra-tissue fibroblast heterogeneity. Unraveling the composition and function of different fibroblasts subpopulations in homeostasis and disease will pave the way toward therapeutic targeting of fibroblasts in autoimmune diseases and beyond. With Prof
Interest Group 2: Rheumatoid arthritis
- Presenter: Verhoef, Lise
- Senior: Dr Paco Welsing
- Time: Thursday 2nd June; 14:45 – 15:45
Decision support in RA treatment: when do prediction and machine learning make sense?
The RA interest group will focus on decision support using prediction through traditional statistical methods and machine learning approaches. We will talk about the basic concepts of prediction research, machine learning and the opportunities and challenges for implementation in clinical care. dr Paco Welsing will tell us more about the development and testing of a tool to predict RA flares during tapering of biologicals. The PATIO study, currently being executed in the Netherlands, is one of the few clinical trials in which the impact of using such a prediction tool is compared to usual care. There will be room for questions, discussion and input from the audience. We hope to see you there!
Interest Group 3: Spondyloarthritis/PsA
- Moderator: Proft, Fabian
- Senior: Prof. Dafna Gladman
- Time: Friday 3rd June; 14:45 – 15:45
Axial involvement in PsA (axPsA) compared with axial SpA: is it same or different?
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can be subsumed together with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) under the umbrella term spondyloarthritis (SpA). About one third of PsA patients are described to suffer from an axial manifestation, but it is still a matter of debate whether they belong to one spectrum of the same disease with different phenotypes or should be considered as separate diseases with frequent similarities. We are glad to have Professor Dafna Gladman as one of the leading PsA experts with us to discuss recent advantages in the understanding of axial PsA, to deliberate the scientific contributions at this year's EULAR regarding axial PsA, brainstorm on the research agenda of this ´hot topic` and take a look into the future in terms of diagnosis, classification and treatment of this specific entity.
Interest Group 4: Connective tissue diseases
- Presenter: Alvise Berti
- Senior: Prof. Cornec
- Time: Thursday 2nd June; 12:00-13:00
Epidemiology and classification, evaluation and developing new treatments in primary Sjogren syndrome
Despite recent advances, many clinical and scientific questions remain open about primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). There are no specific diagnostic tests for the disease. Over the last 3 decades, several sets of classification criteria have been developed, culminating in the recent ACR-EULAR classification criteria. The epidemiology of pSS is poorly defined overall, but several recent reports worldwide contributed to a better understanding of its incidence and prevalence, demonstrating that pSS is a rare disease. The evaluation of disease activity and course is difficult, mainly due to the subjective and variable nature of its symptoms, and to the rarity and heterogeneity of the systemic manifestations. A strong global research effort is currently being developed in that field and new tools are being developed. Biological abnormalities associated with B lymphocytes are a hallmark of patients with pSS, but until now no B-cell targeting strategy has proven its efficacy in the disease. However, recent clinical trials demonstrated encourage results, leading to ongoing large phase 3 trials of drugs specifically developed for the disease.
Professor Divi Cornec, rheumatologist and director of the Inserm laboratory “B Lymphocytes, Autoimmunity and Immunotherapies” at Brest University (France), will discuss all these aspects and share his insights and inputs for cutting-edge research and best practice in pSS.
Interest Group 5: Vasculitis
- Moderator: Mert Öztaş
- senior: dr Stone
- Time: Friday 3rd June; 14:45 – 15:45
Diagnostic challenges in IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD) and implementation of 2019 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria in daily practice
IgG4-RD remains a diagnostic challenge to clinicians since its several kinds of presentations, lack of definitive diagnostic serum biomarkers or imaging tests, and substantial overlap with its various mimickers. Despite these challenges, rheumatologists should seek a better understanding of IgG4-RD while an early diagnosis and treatment can prevent disease complications. In this session, we will discuss diagnostic challenges and the implementation of the 2019 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria in daily practice with Prof. John H.Stone who is one of the most influential IgG4-RD experts.
Interest Group 6: Epidemiology
- Moderator: DEY, Mrinalini
- Senior: Professor Jaap van Laar
- Time: Thursday 2nd June; 9.30-10.30
Outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis, from bench to bedside: a focus on difficult-to-treat disease
The Epidemiology interest group will focus on difficult-to-treat arthritis, with our keynote speaker, Prof Jaap Van Laar. This is following the recent publication of the EULAR definition and guidance on this. This discussion will complement the “How To Treat” session on this topic, which will also feature Prof Van Laar as the main speaker. Participants will have the opportunity to hear more about his work and career, discuss the fascinating area of difficult-to-treat arthritis, and discuss Prof Van Laar's extensive contribution to rheumatology more broadly.
Interest Group 7: Patients Reported Outcomes
- Presenter: Elise van Mulligen
- senior: dr Annelieke Pasma
- Time: Saturday 4th June; 10:15am – 11:15am
The use of PROs in shared decision making
Many of us see the potential for using PROs in daily practice, but this has not been thoroughly investigated yet. Since PROs reflect the patients' wellbeing, it could play a role in the outpatient clinic in improving patient journeys. Possibly, use of PROs can improve shared-decision making between the rheumatologist and the patient. In this session, we will discuss challenges and opportunities with dr. Annelieke Pasma, who is an expert in the field of shared decision making in rheumatology.
|
dates |
Time |
Title |
presenter |
speakers |
|
Thursday |
9:30 - 10:30 |
Cross-tissue targeting of pathogenic fibroblast subsets: where do we stand? |
Blaz Burya |
Professor Christopher Buckley |
|
Outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis, from bench to bedside: a focus on difficult-to-treat disease |
Mrinalini Dey |
Professor Jaap van Laar |
||
|
12:00 - 13:00 |
Epidemiology and classification, evaluation and developing new treatments in primary Sjogren syndrome |
Alvise Berti |
Prof Cornec |
|
|
14:45 - 15:45 |
Decision support in RA treatment: when do prediction and machine learning make sense? |
Lise Verfhoef |
Dr Paco Welsing |
|
|
Friday |
14:45 - 15:45 |
Axial involvement in PsA (axPsA) compared with axial SpA: is it same or different? |
Fabian Prof |
Prof Dafna Gladman |
|
Diagnostic challenges in IgG4 related disease and implementation of 2019 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria in daily practice |
Mert Oztas |
Dr John Stone |
||
|
Saturday |
10:15 - 11:15 |
The use of PROs in shared decision making |
Elise van Mulligen |
Dr Annelieke Pasma |