Get the lowdown on the upcoming ASM in Adelaide.
The 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Rheumatology Association will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in Adelaide from 3-6 May.
As part of the buildup, Rheumatology Republic spoke with Dr Eliza Pontifex, a consultant rheumatologist at Flinders Medical Centre and co-convenor of ARA 2025.
ARA 2025 is almost here – how is everything looking ahead of the ASM?
It’s coming together beautifully, and as time gets closer, I’m getting more and more excited about it. The meeting is a great opportunity for us to highlight some of the many research strengths here in South Australia that speak to the main themes of the meeting, so we’re making these a real point of focus. We are looking forward to warmly welcoming everyone to Adelaide for this great event!
What can delegates expect from the four international speakers?
We’ve got Professor Hector Chinoy coming from Manchester, who is an expert in myopathies – an area of rheumatology that is actively researched here in South Australia.
We also have Professor Eva Kosek from Sweden, who is an expert in pain research, and Professor Michal Brenner from Harvard to talk to us about the science behind rheumatoid arthritis and new treatment development. South Australia is home to several world-class pain researchers, as well as having a synovial tissue biobank, so their work is very relevant to us.
And last – but certainly not least – is Dr Rachel Tattersall, who has previously worked with Dr Grainne Murray, our paediatric representative on the local organising committee, and has expertise in haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and adolescent rheumatology. There’s a lovely overlap of transitional care that is relevant to both paediatric and adult rheumatologists that I don’t remember being highlighted at an Australian meeting before.
Are there any talks or sessions that you are particularly interested in attending?
There’s a concurrent session on achieving remission, predicting flares and personalising treatment in rheumatoid arthritis – featuring Professor Brenner and two of our excellent Australian researchers – which I think will be incredibly popular.
There’s also a concurrent session on malignancy and autoimmune disease, which will address some increasingly common clinical conundrums, such as how to manage immunosuppressive medications in patients with autoimmune disease and a history or current diagnosis of malignancy. We always worry about whether our treatments will affect the oncological outcomes, so that’s a key question that will be addressed at the meeting.
Finally, I’m looking forward to the Plenary session ‘Game changers in Rheumatology’ which will address AI and machine learning, nurse-led clinics and the potential of training registrars in a private practice setting.
Have there been any major changes to the program?
We have modified the format of the “Meet the Expert” sessions this year, such that they are now embedded in the main part of the program. These sessions will involve the presentation of favourite clinical teaching cases or a brief history of an aspect of rheumatology by from our international speakers, followed by an opportunity for the delegates to ask questions and make the most of having these experts on our shores.
Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions – they’re not ticketed, and you don’t have to book ahead. And as an added bonus, they’re not at 7.30 in the morning after the gala dinner! We’re running an experiential Qigong session the morning after the dinner, which speaks to our focus on pain and pain management.
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Do you have any suggestions on what people should see or do if they have any extra time in Adelaide outside of the meeting?
Adelaide has so much to offer! While the meeting is on there are plenty of other events running within the CBD – all within walking distance of the convention centre. For lovers of food and wine, Tasting Australia is on at the same time as the meeting, but I recommend you book certain events if you are interested because they will sell out!
There is also the Adelaide Water Lantern Festival in Bonython Park, which will have food trucks, music and other activities, or the Adelaide Equestrian Festival – one of the country’s leading equestrian events.
ARA 2025 runs from 3-6 May in Adelaide, South Australia. See the meeting website for further details regarding the program, presenters and how to register.
