About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of diagnosing and managing eosinophilia and related disorders with insights from Dr. Luke Chen.

In this episode of Around the Rheum, hosts Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope sit down with Dr. Luke Chen for a deep dive into an approach to patients presenting with hypereosinophilia. Recorded at the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA)’s 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting in Halifax, the conversation explores how hematologists, rheumatologists, allergists, infectious disease specialists, and others work together to diagnose and manage these complex disorders. Dr. Chen discusses the broad differential diagnosis behind eosinophilia — from Eosinophilic Granulomatosus with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and IgG4-related disease to parasitic infections to rare hematologic disorders to 'Idiopathic' Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (I-HES) — and the uncertainty clinicians often face when distinguishing overlapping eosinophilic diseases. The discussion also highlights emerging therapies including IL-5 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, interferon, and biologics, alongside the practical realities of access to treatment in rare disease care. Thoughtful, practical, and candid, this episode offers insight into multidisciplinary medicine, diagnostic humility, and caring for patients living with rare inflammatory…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Ennis, Dr. Janet Pope

Guest: Dr. Luke Chen

Topics covered

• eosinophilia
• diagnostic uncertainty
• multidisciplinary medicine
• rare inflammatory diseases
• emerging therapies

Keywords

• eosinophilia
• EGPA
• diagnosis
• treatment
• rare diseases
• hematology
• rheumatology
• biologics
• IL-5 inhibitors

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Canadian Rheumatology Association

Books & works: Eosinophilic Granulomatosus with Polyangiitis, IgG4-related disease, Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Places: Halifax

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