Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common and potentially fatal complication of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). ILD may be the first sign of disease or develop later, often with variable clinical courses. Early detection is critical, as delayed diagnosis contributes to poor outcomes. In response, the 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines emphasize routine screening and risk-based strategies to improve identification and management of SARD-associated ILD (SARD-ILD).

What if your medical degree could launch more than a clinical career? In this candid and compelling read, Dr Jon Edelson shares his lessons for early-career doctors ready to think beyond the bedside and explore the business of medicine.

As part of our Future Leaders series, we spotlight Dr Sonali Bracken, a physician-scientist at Duke University advancing rheumatologic care through cutting-edge research on B cells in autoimmunity. Recently awarded the 2024 ACR Distinguished Fellow Award, Dr Bracken shares insights into her path, research focus, and the emerging therapies poised to transform patient outcomes.

touchREVIEWS in RMD is proud to welcome Dr Vinod Ravindran to our editorial board. With a distinguished background in clinical rheumatology, medical education, and research, Dr Ravindran is widely recognized for his contributions to advancing care and understanding in the field.

Dr. Vinod Ravindran (Centre for Rheumatology, Calicut, Kerala, India) shares his highlights from RheumaPreg 2025, held in Vienna. The conference covered the full spectrum of pregnancy management in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Here, he reflects on key insights from expert-led sessions on fertility, immunosuppression, lupus care, and postpartum outcomes.

In this edition of our Future Leaders series, we speak with Dr. Santhanam Sham, a rising star in rheumatology. As a Senior Consultant at Kauvery Hospitals, Chennai, Dr. Sham is dedicated to advancing research on autoimmune diseases like SLE and vasculitis, while also fostering patient-centric care and embracing cutting-edge medical technologies.

To gain expert insight into the most impactful developments of the past year and the trends set to shape the next, we reached out to our esteemed expert faculty. From advances in targeted therapies to the integration of AI and steps towards precision medicine, here’s what our experts had to say.

IgG4-RD is a rare, chronic, relapsing condition characterized by fibroinflammatory lesions rich in CD19+ B cells, which can damage multiple organ systems and lead to organ failure.1 With no approved therapies, glucocorticoids are the primary treatment, but their long-term use is associated with adverse effects and inadequate disease control.1