Podcast: Weight, Wellness, and PsA: Empowering Conversations & Action in the Rheumatology Clinic

Podcast: Weight, Wellness, and PsA: Empowering Conversations & Action in the Rheumatology Clinic

Discover how obesity impacts outcomes in psoriatic arthritis in this insightful episode featuring expert perspectives from rheumatology clinicians, Amanda Mixon, PA-C and Jeannette Hart, PA-C. This discussion explores the growing recognition of obesity as a chronic, pro-inflammatory condition that not only worsens joint symptoms and physical function but also reduces treatment response in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Learn practical, real-world strategies for integrating weight assessment into routine rheumatology care, including how to approach sensitive conversations with patients in a stigma-free, supportive way. The episode highlights how even modest weight loss (5–10%) can improve disease activity, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall health outcomes. Clinicians will also gain insights into building obesity-focused care pathways within their practice, from lifestyle counseling and patient education to incorporating emerging pharmacologic options like GLP-1 therapies. Designed for healthcare professionals, this episode emphasizes the importance of empathy, patient partnership, and science-driven communication when addressing weight management in psoriatic arthritis. Whether you’re looking to improve patient engagement, optimize treatment response, or expand your approach to comprehensive inflammatory disease care, this conversation offers actionable guidance to elevate your clinical practice. For more expert-led education, visit the Content Rheum and stay up to date with the latest clinical insights in rheumatologic care.

FAQ: TYK2/STAT Signaling: The Immunologic Rationale for TYK2 Therapy in SLE & Sjögren’s Disease

In this educational FAQ video, Iris Zink, NP, a rheumatology nurse practitioner, provides a comprehensive overview of the TYK2/STAT signaling pathway and its immunologic role in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren’s disease. Drawing from clinical experience and real-world insights, Iris explains how dysregulated cytokine signaling—particularly involving type 1 interferon, interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-23 (IL-23)—drives chronic inflammation, autoantibody production, and organ damage in these complex conditions. The video explores how TYK2, a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family, plays a central role in mediating immune responses by transmitting intracellular signals from pro-inflammatory cytokines. Unlike other JAK kinases, TYK2 is more selectively involved in immune pathways, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Iris breaks down how over activation of TYK2 contributes to the interferon-driven inflammatory cycle seen in both lupus and Sjögren’s disease, leading to B-cell hyperactivity, increased BAFF production, and a higher risk of complications such as lupus nephritis and lymphoma. Using a relatable analogy, the discussion simplifies complex immunology by comparing dysregulated B-cell activity to a “bubble machine stuck on,” illustrating how unchecked immune signaling leads to abnormal cell proliferation and autoimmunity. The video also highlights how TYK2 inhibition may help restore immune balance by reducing cytokine production, limiting autoreactive B-cell activation, and potentially decreasing long-term organ damage. Watch this video to gain a deeper understanding of the TYK2 pathway, the interferon-BAFF axis, and why TYK2-directed therapies represent a promising, targeted approach for managing SLE and Sjögren’s disease. For more rheumatology education, visit the RhAPP Content Rheum, RhAPP ACE app, or follow RhAPP on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

RhAPPcast: From Prescription to Possession: Understanding Medicare Access & Cap and Smooth

In this episode of RhAPPcast, the official podcast of the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined by rheumatology experts Heather Finlayson, PA-C, and Stacey Johnson, NP, to discuss one of the most challenging aspects of rheumatology care: ensuring patient access to advanced therapies. This conversation explores the complexities of Medicare formularies, prior authorizations, step edits, tier placement, and evolving affordability programs that support patients receiving specialty medications. Listeners will gain practical insights into how Medicare Part B and Part D coverage impacts rheumatology prescribing, including formulary restrictions, preferred therapies, and the financial barriers patients often face when accessing biologics and biosimilars. The discussion also highlights programs such as the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P), CAP, and cost-smoothing initiatives that help reduce out-of-pocket costs and improve treatment access for Medicare beneficiaries. The panel also shares practical strategies for navigating access challenges through patient education, strong documentation, communication with clinic teams and biologics coordinators, and proactive advocacy to help patients stay on therapy. Ideal for rheumatology providers, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, and clinic teams, this episode delivers actionable guidance to improve patient access, reduce treatment delays, and support long-term medication adherence in rheumatology practice. For more expert-led rheumatology education, visit the RhAPP Content Rheum and RhAPP ACE app, and subscribe to RhAPPcast for future episodes.

FAQ: What Is Minimal Disease Activity in PsA and How Does Deucravacitinib Perform at 52 Weeks?

In this FAQ video, Christy Vath, PA-C of Seattle Rheumatology Associates, breaks down the concept of minimal disease activity (MDA) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and explores how deucravacitinib performs in achieving this important treatment target at 52 weeks. With the evolution of targeted biologic therapies since the late 1990s, treatment goals in PsA have shifted toward objective, measurable outcomes like MDA—an established composite endpoint requiring patients to meet 5 of 7 clinical criteria, including low joint counts, reduced skin involvement, improved patient-reported outcomes, and minimal enthesitis. This educational discussion reviews the development and validation of MDA as a treat-to-target strategy in PsA, highlighting its clinical significance in improving disease control and patient quality of life. Christy also dives into the mechanism of action of deucravacitinib, a selective TYK2 inhibitor that targets key inflammatory pathways such as IL-23 and type 1 interferon, central to PsA pathogenesis. Data from the POETYK PsA-1 and PsA-2 phase 3 trials are discussed, showing that deucravacitinib demonstrated superior MDA response rates compared to placebo at week 16, with continued improvement through week 24 and sustained responses at week 52, reaching nearly 34%. Watch now to better understand MDA in PsA, the role of TYK2 inhibition, and how evolving therapies are helping clinicians achieve meaningful, long-term outcomes for patients. For more rheumatology content, visit the RhAPP Content Rheum or the RhAPP ACE app.

FAQ: What Guideline Recommendations Exist Pertaining to Managing obesity in Patients With PsA?

In this FAQ video, Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C, of Columbus Arthritis Center reviews the latest guidance on managing obesity in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Referencing the 2018 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and National Psoriasis Foundation recommendations, she explains why weight loss is conditionally recommended for overweight and obese patients with psoriatic arthritis and how adiposity contributes to systemic inflammation and increased disease activity. This discussion explores evidence behind very low-calorie and hypocaloric diets, the role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing inflammation and cardiovascular risk, and emerging data on gluten-free diets, sugar reduction, and GLP-1 therapies. Designed for rheumatology clinicians and advanced practice providers, this video highlights practical, individualized strategies to support weight management and improve outcomes in psoriatic arthritis.