RRF Memorial Lecture Honors a Trailblazer While Examining the Future of OA Research

A leader in the field of rheumatology and the ACR, Roy Altman, MD, passed away at the end of 2022. Dr. Altman led the efforts of the ACR to develop classification criteria for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, hip, and knee that have been used in clinical research and trials for more than 30 years. He received the ACR Distinguished Service Award and was recognized as one of the ACR’s Master Designees in 2002.

To honor his contributions and legacy, Tuhina Neogi, MD, PhD, will deliver this year’s Rheumatology Research Foundation Memorial Lecture – To Memorialize Dr. Roy Altman entitled “Osteoarthritis: Highlights From the Past Informing the Future” on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 12–1 p.m. PT in Room 11A–B of the San Diego Convention Center. The lecture will be livestreamed for online viewing and available on demand within 24 hours for registered ACR Convergence 2023 participants.

Dr. Neogi, who is Chief of Rheumatology at Boston University School of Medicine, will review several key contributions from Dr. Altman that advanced the field of rheumatology. She will focus on highlights from the first issues of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, for which he was the first editor-in-chief. Dr. Neogi will use these issues to frame the progress and remaining challenges that have affected researchers studying OA since Dr. Altman’s initial publications.

Dr. Neogi will also explore Dr. Altman’s work developing classification criteria for OA and OA clinical trials along with his investigation into understanding pain in OA. The session will conclude by examining the challenges and progress made in these areas and current field efforts that are extensions of some of Dr. Altman’s earlier work.

In addition to honoring Dr. Altman’s legacy, Dr. Neogi will spotlight the necessity of continued advancement in OA research.

“Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis worldwide and one of the leading causes for why people seek medical care in the United States,” Dr. Neogi explained. “This disease is a significant burden to public health, yet we still don’t have any disease-modifying agents for it.” 

Attendees will leave the session understanding OA as a disease of the whole joint and its epidemiology, recognizing the challenges encountered in developing disease-modifying agents for OA, and will be familiar with approaches to addressing symptom and structure management of the disease.

“We’ve come a long way in the 30 years since Dr. Altman was a founding member of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International and the editor of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, but it has not yet translated into success in providing safe and effective treatment options to prevent the disease and its progression,” Dr. Neogi said. “We have a lot more work that needs to be done, and we need the next generation of researchers to tackle this problem.”