Rheuminating About COVID-19: A Rheumatologist’s Perspective


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In the past year, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented unique challenges to rheumatology practices and care. Although not at the frontline, rheumatologists have had to face difficult decisions regarding, and not limited to, immunosuppressant management and the continuity of care for patients. But with the COVID-19 vaccines at the helm, what does the current rheumatology landscape look like and what is potentially in store for the future of patient care?

In this episode, Amit Ladani, MD, a rheumatologist at West Virginia University Hospital, gives us his perspective on the impact of COVID-19 on rheumatology.

Read the full transcript for this episode here.

Editor’s Note: Please note that this episode was developed and edited before the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) released clinical guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccines in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. We will be providing updated information soon.

Featured Guest

Amit P. Ladani, MBBS, MD, came to the United States in 2010 after practicing internal medicine in India for about 9 years. He completed his residency in internal medicine at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester.

Dr Ladani worked at Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) for 3.5 years, where he was an adjunct assistant professor at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and served as the medical director of rheumatology care services. Dr Ladani joined West Virginia University in January 2019 as an assistant professor, where he currently also serves as the director of research in the Division of Rheumatology.

Dr Ladani has an immense interest in the interplay between autoimmune rheumatic diseases and infectious agents, and wants to explore their association, which will help understand the etiopathology of many autoimmune rheumatic diseases.