Program outline now available!
The APLAR 2026 official program is scheduled in the South Korea time zone (UTC+9). To check the program times in your location, use a time zone converter.
As more information becomes available – this page will be updated so please make sure to check back regularly.
Program is best viewed on a desktop or large landscape screen.
Congress Travel Grants
APLAR will award 50 need-based travel stipends to AYR members, covering part of their travel and lodging expenses along with complimentary conference registration.
Cell key:
Industry
Main Program
Poster Viewing
Social Function
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0700-0830 |
REGISTRATION |
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0830-1030 |
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1030-1045 |
BREAK |
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1045-1230 |
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Workshop Day 1 (continues) |
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1230-1330 |
LUNCH |
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1330-1500 |
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Workshop Day 1 (continues) |
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1500-1515 |
BREAK |
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1515-1900 |
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Workshop Day 1 (continues) |
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0800
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REGISTRATION |
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0900-1030
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Workshop 4 – Enhancing and Implementation of Shared Decision-Making (SDM) in Rheumatology Practice: Tools, Skills & Implementation
View workshop information |
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1030-1045
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BREAK |
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1045-1245
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Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Workshop Day 2 (continues) |
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Workshop 3 – Clinical review (continues)
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Workshop 4 – Enhancing and Implementation of Shared Decision-Making (SDM) in Rheumatology Practice: Tools, Skills & Implementation
(continues)
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1245-1330
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LUNCH BREAK |
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1330-1500
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Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Workshop Day 2 (continues) |
Workshop 2 – GRAPPA Workshop (continues)
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Workshop 3 – Clinical review (continues)
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1500-1700
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Pre-congress Industry workshop 1
SpArkling Insights on SpA |
Pre-congress Industry workshop 2
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Pre-congress Industry workshop 3
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Pre-congress Industry workshop 4
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1700-1800
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Opening Ceremony Included in registration. View more information here |
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1800-1930
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Welcome Reception and Official Opening of Exhibition Hall Included in registration. View more information here |
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| Plenary / Concurrent 1 | Concurrent 2 | Concurrent 3 | Concurrent 4 | |
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0700 |
REGISTRATION
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0830-1000
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Plenary session 1: State-of-the-Art Management of Rheumatic Diseases
Chairpersons: TBC Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Prof Tsutomu Takeuchi, Japan SLE Prof Mandana Nikpour, Australia Osteoporosis Dr Kenneth Saag, United States |
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1000-1025 |
BREAK |
Poster viewing |
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1025-1125
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Morning symposium 1
Title coming soon |
Morning symposium 2
Reframing Long-Term SLE Care in Asia: Reducing Steroid Burden and Advancing Organ Protection |
Morning symposium 3
UP Standard Of Care in AS with Upadacitinib |
Morning symposium 4
Title coming soon |
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1125-1130 |
Transition between sessions |
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1130-1245 |
Advances and controversies in SLE management (TBC) Coordinated by the APLAR SLE SIG |
COPCORD session
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Multiomics approach in systemic rheumatic diseases
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AYR symposium: Crossroads of Inflammation: Unraveling the Gut–Skin–Spine Spectrum in Spondyloarthritis Coordinated by APLAR Young Rheumatologists |
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Chairpersons: Prof Yoshiya Tanaka, Japan and Prof Laniyati Hamijoyo, Indonesia
Update on the management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus Dr Tae-Gyun Kim, Republic of Korea Management of difficult lupus nephritis Prof Chi Chiu Mok, China Controversies of glucocorticoid treatment in SLE Prof Sandra Navarra, Philippines Q&A |
Chairpersons: Prof Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh and A/Prof William Taylor, New Zealand
Prevalence of Major Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Rawalpindi and Islamabad: A COPCORD Survey Dr Tayyeba Khursheed, Pakistan Epidemiology of SLE in Aotearoa/New Zealand Dr Chunhuan Lao, New Zealand Community prevalence surveys for long-term conditions: design and analysis principles and practice for COPCORD and other settings Prof James Stanley, New Zealand |
Chairpersons: TBC
Genomics and transcriptomic biomarkers for clinical applications in rheumatology Prof So-Young Bang, Republic of Korea Type 1 Interferon signature and allograft inflammatory factor-1 contribute to refractoriness to TNF inhibition in AS Prof Eun Young Lee, Republic of Korea Multi-Omics Analysis of T Cell Dysfunction in Autoimmune Diseases Prof Keishi Fujio, Japan Q&A |
Chairpersons: Prof Babur Salim, Pakistan and Prof Jiuliang Zhao, China
Ankylosing Spondylitis in 2026: A New Era of Diagnosis and Disease Control Prof Xenofon Baraliakos, Germany IBD-Associated Spondylarthritis : A Translational Perspective Prof Lai Shan Tam, Hong Kong Psoriatic Arthritis Revisited : New insights into enthesitis and molecular targets Dr Ghita Harifi, United Arab Emirates Q&A |
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1245-1250
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Transition between sessions |
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1250-1420 |
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Lunch symposium 1
Title coming soon |
Lunch symposium 2
Redefining the Autoimmune ILD Journey: From Early Risk Recognition to Long Term Care |
Lunch symposium 3
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1420-1425
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Transition between sessions |
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1425-1540 |
APLAR – EULAR symposium Coordinated by EULAR – International session |
Redefining Quality of Care: Structural determinants of health, Patient Engagement and Outreach Coordinated by the APLAR Social Commitment & Patient Outreach SIG |
Recent Advances in Upper Extremity Surgery for RA patients
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Abstract session 1
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Chairpersons: Prof Kichul Shin, Republic of Korea and Prof Yoshiya Tanaka, Japan
Cognitive Function and the Brain in Rheumatoid Arthritis Prof Christopher Edwards, United Kingdom Mastering Treatment Strategies in Arthritis Prof Daniel Aletaha, Austria Diagnosis vs. Classification – the ASAS/SPARTAN 2026 criteria Prof Xenofon Baraliakos, Germany Q&A |
Chairpersons: Dr Kenneth Saag, United States and Prof Syed Atiqul Haq, Bangladesh
Redefining Quality of Care: Evidence beyond the Clinic Prof Nighat Mir Ahmad, Pakistan Patient Experience and Engagement Prof Galymzhan Togizbayev From the clinic to the health systems: building capacity to provide equitable and person-centred care for musculoskeletal health Prof Andrew Briggs, Australia Panel discussion and Q&A |
Chairperson: TBC
Elbow surgery in RA Prof Jae Sung Lee, Republic of Korea Hand & Wrist surgery in RA Prof Chang Hun Lee, Republic of Korea |
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1540-1610 |
BREAK |
Poster viewing |
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1610-1725 |
Osteoarthritis Coordinated by the APLAR Osteoarthritis SIG |
APLAR–PANLAR session International session |
GRAPPA session
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New Horizons in the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Coordinated by the APLAR Vasculitis SIG |
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Chairpersons: Dr Juan Raphael Gonzales, Philippines and Prof Hyun Ah Kim, Republic of Korea
Intra-articular therapies for osteoarthritis Prof Gun-Il Im, Republic of Korea OXPHOS failure as a metabolic tipping point in osteoarthritis progression Prof Seung Woo Han, Republic of Korea Osteoarthritis phenotypes Prof Junyong Park, Republic of Korea Q&A |
Chairpersons: A/Prof Paulo Lorenzo, Philippines and Prof Yoshiya Tanaka, Japan
Prevention of bone loss in inflammatory arthritis Prof Lai-Shan Tam, Hong Kong Beyond Adalimumab: Managing Refractory Non-Infectious Uveitis from a Rheumatologist’s Perspective Prof Vanessa Ocampo, Canada Presentation title TBA Prof Kichul Shin, Republic of Korea Presentation title TBA Dr Carlos Enrique Toro Gutiérrez, Canada |
Chairpersons: A/Prof Ying Ying Leung Singapore, Prof Mitsumasa Kishimoto, Japan and A/Prof Fariz Yahya, Malaysia
Opening Obesity and the risk, severity, treatment response of psoriatic disease A/Prof Ying Ying Leung, Singapore Prevalence and Characteristics of Axial PsA Prof Mitsumasa Kishimoto, Japan Emerging treatments for PsA Prof Philip Mease, United States Q&A |
Chairpersons: A/Prof Xinping Tian, China and Prof Masayoshi Harigai, Japan
Opening Presentation title TBA TBC Presentation title TBA TBC From Immune Amplification to Immune Tolerance: Targeting Innate and Antigen-Specific Pathways in AAV A/Prof Joshua D. Ooi, Australia Q&A Closing |
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1725-1730 |
Transition between sessions
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1730-1825 |
Evening symposium 1
Tacrolimus strategy for Autoimmune real-world in Rheumatic Disease |
Evening symposium 2
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Evening symposium 3
The significance of IL-6 signal blocking in autoimmune diseases including RA |
Evening symposium 4
Therapeutic targeting of IL-6 and IL-1 pathways in autoinflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases |
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Sponsored by Chugai Pharmaceutical / JW Pharmaceutical
View information
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Sponsored by R-Pharm Group
View information
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| Plenary / Concurrent 1 | Concurrent 2 | Concurrent 3 | Concurrent 4 | |||
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0700 |
REGISTRATION
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0830-1000
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Plenary session 2: Translational Research and Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatology
Chairpersons: TBC Understanding rheumatic disease through continuous cell state analysis Prof Soumya Raychaudhuri, United States Artificial intelligence and machine learning in axial spondyloarthritis Prof Denis Poddubnyy, Canada Digital healthcare regarding Rheumatic diseases Dr Anindita Santosa, Singapore |
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1000-1025 |
BREAK |
Poster viewing |
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1025-1125
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Morning symposium 5
Crossroads of Inflammation: What Advances in PsA/SpA Mean for Clinical Practice |
Morning symposium 6
Transforming the Trajectory: Early Inflammation Control as a Path to Lasting Change in Spondyloarthritis |
Morning symposium 7
Optimizing RA Outcomes with Upadacitinib: From Treat-to-Target to Real-World Decision-Making |
Morning symposium 8
Shifting the Trajectory: Understanding the Implications of an early subcutaneous application of Methotrexate |
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1125-1130 |
Transition between sessions |
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1130-1245 |
New horizon in lupus translational research
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Imaging Coordinated by the APLAR Imaging SIG |
Epidemiology Coordinated by the APLAR Epidemiology SIG |
IJRD session Coordinated by the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases |
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Chairperson: TBC
New insight into the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis Prof Seokchan Hong, Republic of Korea The role of gut microbiome in systemic lupus erythematosus Prof Seungki Kwok, Republic of Korea B cell metabolism in lupus Dr Jason Jungsik Song, Republic of Korea Q&A |
Chairpersons: Prof Kei Ikeda, Japan and Prof Hyun-Sook Kim, Republic of Korea
Ultrasound in Sjogren Syndrome Prof Ved Chaturvedi, India AI in MRI Rheumatology Imaging A/Prof Ho Yin Chung , Hong Kong Emerging role of lung ultrasound in the evaluation of CTD-ILD: Progress, Pros and Cons Dr ATM Tanveer Hasan, Bangladesh Imaging of Large Vessel Vasculitis Prof Min Jung Kim, Republic of Korea Q&A |
Chairpersons: Prof Yoshiya Tanaka, Japan and Prof Galymzhan Togizbayev, Kazakhstan
Epidemiological Factors Affecting Treatment Decisions and Outcomes in Spondyloarthritis Prof Muhammad Ahmed Saeed, Pakistan Do Epidemiological Factors Influence Treatment Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Evidence from Clinical Practice Dr Suleman Khan, United Kingdom How and Why Vasculitis Differs Between East and West: Clinical and Epidemiological Insights Prof Md Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh |
Chairpersons: Prof James Cheng-Chung Wei, Taiwan and Prof Shin-Seok Lee, Republic of Korea
Opening & IJRD Statement for AI use in Medical Publication Generative AI in Manuscript Drafting: Efficiency vs. Integrity Prof Po-Cheng Shih, Taiwan AI-assisted Literature Review Dr Lisa Traboco, Philippines EULAR recommendations on big data and AI in RMDs Dr Latika Gupta, United Kingdom Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A Closing remarks |
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1245-1250
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Transition between sessions |
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1250-1420 |
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Lunch symposium 4
From Evidence to Confidence: Real-world Clinical Experience with Biosimilars in Europe |
Lunch symposium 5
Polymyalgia Rheumatica: From Diagnosis to Long-Term Disease Control – Current Recommendations and Unmet Needs |
Lunch symposium 6
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1420-1425
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Transition between sessions |
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1425-1540 |
SpA Coordinated by the APLAR SpA SIG |
Digital Health and Telemedicine Coordinated by the APLAR Digital Health and Telemedicine SIG |
Prevention and treatment of Infections in rheumatic diseases
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Abstract session 2
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Chairpersons: Prof Kichul Shin, Republic of Korea and Prof Soosan Soroosh, Iran
Is axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA) with psoriasis the same as axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)? Prof Ashish Mathew, United States Unmet needs in axial Spondyloarthritis in 2026 Prof Xenofon Baraliakos, Germany Re-positioning JAK Inhibitors in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Real-World Evidence and Pragmatic Considerations from Low- and Middle-Income Countries Prof Muhammad Ahmed Saeed, Pakistan Q&A |
Chairpersons: Dr Anindita Santosa, Singapore and Dr Faisal Parlindungan, Indonesia
Welcome and introduction Remote monitoring and telemedicine- lessons learnt Prof Atsushi Kawakami, Japan Digital resources in guideline implementation Dr Samuel L Whittle, Australia How to use social media for rheumatology awareness Dr Mohsen G. Soroush, Iran TARDIS: The APLAR Telemedicine Survey Dr Sakir Ahmed, India Closing comments |
Chairperson: TBC
Common infections in rheumatic diseases Prof Chang-Hee Suh, Republic of Korea Prevention of infections through vaccinations Prof Joon Young Song, Republic of Korea Improving vaccine responses in rheumatic diseases Prof Jin Kyun Park, Republic of Korea |
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1540-1610 |
BREAK |
Poster viewing |
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1610-1725 |
APLAR – ACR symposium Coordinated by ACR – International session |
Crystal-induced arthritis Coordinated by the APLAR Crystal-induced arthritis SIG |
Scleroderma Coordinated by the APLAR Scleroderma SIG |
Abstract session 3
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Chairpersons: Prof Kichul Shin, Republic of Korea and Prof Yoshiya Tanaka, Japan
Central Role for EBV in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Prof William Robinson, United States Childhood Lupus: Epidemiology and Emerging Treatments Prof Hermine Brunner, United States Q&A |
Chairpersons: A/Prof Jose Paulo Lorenzo, Philippines and Dr Kanon Jatuworapruk, Thailand
CPPD – therapeutic frontiers: existing therapies, emerging biologics, and challenges in disease-modifying treatment in CPPD Prof Geraldine McCarthy, Ireland Gout, what’s new in 2025 Emeritus Prof Sami Salman, Iraq Metabolic Syndrome as the hidden driver of gout: Why every gout assessment must be a metabolic assessment Dr Binit Vaidya, Nepal Gout in complex comorbidity: CKD, heart disease and polypharmacy – practical treatment algorithms that reconcile CV safety, renal dosing, drug interactions and hospital formularies Prof Lisa Stamp, New Zeland Q&A |
Chairpersons: Prof Masataka Kuwana, Japan and Prof Jasmin Raja, Malaysia
Defining disease activity in SSc Prof Mandana Nikpour, Australia Vascular disease continuum in SSc: evidence, clinical meaningfulness and surrogate measures Francesco Del Galdo, United Kingdom VEDOSS and Pre-systemic sclerosis: Predicting its progression Prof Suparaporn Wangkaew, Thailand Q&A |
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1725-1730 |
Transition between sessions
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1730-1825 |
Evening symposium 5
Latest Evidence on Methotrexate and JAK Inhibitors |
Evening symposium 6
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Evening symposium 7
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Evening symposium 8
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1900-Late |
Joint Presidential Gala dinner |
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| Plenary / Concurrent 1 | Concurrent 2 | Concurrent 3 | Concurrent 4 | |||
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0700 |
REGISTRATION
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0800-0915 |
RA comorbities – The hidden burden Coordinated by the APLAR Rheumatoid arthritis SIG |
Paediatric Coordinated by the APLAR Paediatric SIG |
From Genes to Joints: Translating Genetic Discoveries into Practice Coordinated by the APLAR Genetics SIG |
How to treat Sjögren disease (SjD) Coordinated by the APLAR Sjogren SIG |
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Chairpersons: Prof Zhanguo Li, China and Prof Kunihiro Yamaoka, Japan
Cardiometabolic Burden in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Mechanisms, Detection, and Clinical Implications Prof Lai-Shan Tam, Hong Kong Comorbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Epidemiology, Outcomes, and Unmet Needs – TBC Prof Catherine Hill, Australia Presentation title TBA TBA |
Chairpersons: Dr Swee-Ping Tang, Malaysia and Prof Yae-Jean Kim, Republic of Korea
SLE Across the Age Spectrum: Can Adult Treatment Paradigms Be Applied to Children? Dr Mary Beth Son, United States Autoinflammatory Disorders in Children to Adults (title to be confirmed) Dr Georgina Tiller, Australia Paediatric Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What Is the Evidence and How Does It Differ from Adults? Dr Ma Theresa Collante, Philippines Q&A SIG updates Dr Elizabeth Ang, Singapore Practice-changing updates from SIG: The APLAR consensus recommendations for the management of systemic arthritis Prof Arkachaisri Thaschawee, Singapore |
Chairpersons: Dr Michael Tee, Philippines and Dr Suleman Khan, United Kingdom
Clinical Utility of Whole Genome Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Rheumatic Diseases Prof Jeong Seok (Justin) Lee, Republic of Korea From Gene to Therapy: Functional Genomics and the Promise of Targeted Treatment in Monogenic Rheumatic Syndromes Prof Fahd Adeeb, Malaysia Genetic Counselling in Rheumatic Diseases Dr Michael Tee, Philippines Q&A |
Chairpersons: Dr Sandhya Pulukool, India and Prof Atsushi Kawakami, Japan
How to treat dryness of SjD, perspectives from rheumatologists Dr Hiroto Tsuboi , Japan How to manage dryness of SjD, perspectives from dentists specializing in xerostomia Prof Masafumi Moriyama, Japan How to treat extra-glandular manifestations of SjD Dr Sandhya Pulukool, India How to manage extra-glandular manifestations of SjD, especially pulmonary disease in SjD Prof Seung-Ki Kwok, Republic of Korea How to diagnose and manage Sjögren’s disease in children and adolescents Dr Minako Tomiita, Japan Patient and Public Involvement in SjD Prof Maureen Rischmueller, Australia |
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0915-0920 |
Transition between sessions |
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0920-1050
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Plenary session 3: Enhancing the Quality of Patient Care in Rheumatology
Chairpersons: TBC The Evolution and Prospects of the Collaboration between EULAR and APLAR Prof Xenofon Baraliakos, Germany Improving Patient Outcomes through Evidence-based, Multidisciplinary Treatment Prof Rachelle Buchbinder, Australia Translational Research of Th1 Autoimmunity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Animal Models to Clinical Practice Prof Ho-Youn Kim, Republic of Korea |
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1050-1115 |
BREAK |
Poster viewing |
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1115-1230
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Osteoporosis Coordinated by the APLAR Osteoporosis SIG |
Women’s Health & Reproductive Issues in RMDs Coordinated by the APLAR Women’s Health & Reproductive Issues in RMDs SIG |
Patient engagement with AI
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How to manage extramuscular complications in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy Coordinated by the APLAR Myositis (IIM) SIG |
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Chairpersons: Prof Julie Li-Yu, Philippines and A/Prof Sumapa Chaiamnuay, Thailand
Updates on denosumab discontinuation Dr Fiaz Alam MD, Qatar Choice of therapy for patients with high to very high fracture risk Dr Nabeel Abdulla, Qatar AI in bone health: From opportunistic screening to clinical decision-making Dr Mahabaleshwar Mamadapur, India Q&A |
Chairpersons: Dr May Ching Soh, New Zealand and A/Prof Ratchaya Lertnawapan, Thailand
APLAR Consensus Statements on the Management of Reproductive Issues in Rheumatic Diseases Prof Vinod Ravindran, India Lupus nephritis and pregnancy Care Dr Samar Al Emadi, Qatar Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis to target in Pregnancy Dr Uthpala Dissanayake, Sri Lanka Q&A |
Chairperson: TBC
AI and Remote Monitoring and Telemedicine Prof Atsushi Kawakami, Japan Utilizing AI for shared decision-making in selecting pharmacologic treatments for patients with rheumatic Diseases Prof Yoon-Kyoung Sung, Republic of Korea Practical considerations in utilizing AI in medical research and practice Prof Ji Seon Oh, Republic of Korea |
Chairpersons: Prof Vidya Limaye , Australia and Dr Ho So, Hong Kong
Cancer screening -learning from the IMACS guideline Dr Alex Oldroyd, United Kingdom How to treat skin rash in dermatomyositis Amanda Saracino ILD management -learning from individual regional guidelines Prof Takahisa Gono, Japan Q&A |
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1230-1235
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Transition between sessions |
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1235-1405
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Lunch symposium 7
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1405-1410
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Transition between sessions |
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1410-1525
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RA-ILD
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Abstract session 4
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Allied health professionals
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Abstract session 5
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Chairperson: TBC
Epidemiology and Early Detection of RA-ILD Prof Soo-Kyung Cho, Republic of Korea RA-ILD Progression and Optimizing Treatment Prof Toshihiro Nanki, Japan Emerging Therapies and Safety Considerations in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Prof Jin Woo Song, Republic of Korea Q&A |
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Chairperson: TBC
Enhancing the Patient Journey in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Measurement and Key Drivers Prof Catherine Hill, Australia Infection Control in Rheumatology Care: Practical Strategies for Allied Health Professionals Prof JaHyun Kang, Republic of Korea Trends and future challenges in rheumatoid arthritis nursing research in South Korea Prof Dukyoo Jung , Republic of Korea |
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1525-1530 |
Transition between sessions
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1530-1605 |
Closing ceremony and awards |
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APLAR 2026 Information coming soon
Thank you for your patience as we prepare the necessary information for APLAR 2026.