This year, rheumatology professionals in the U.S. and across the world will descend on the Windy City (Chicago) for ACR Convergence 2025. This meeting is the premier gathering place for up-to-date rheumatology education. Although the education sessions provide rich syntheses of evidence you can apply to your next patient, the real treasure is in the oral abstract presentations and the poster hall. The latest findings from scientists across rheumatology are presented and become evidence presented in education sessions in future years.
Unfortunately, the number of abstracts submitted to the ARP categories has dropped precipitously over the past decade. In this article, I revisit the value in submitting an abstract to the ARP, summarize the recent decline in ARP abstract submissions and review the actionable ways you can contribute to an excellent scientific program this year.
Get recognized
Top abstracts are recognized in several ways. They are selected for oral presentation, providing an extended platform to share the research results and discuss the implications of the findings. Top posters also receive recognition with an ARP President’s Award blue ribbon. Outstanding abstracts by trainees and early career researchers in each category are recognized with an Emerging Investigator Award. 2024 awardees can be found on the ACR Convergence website.
ARP Abstract Numbers Decline
From 2014 to 2020, there was a 70% drop in the number of submissions to ARP abstract categories, with a marked drop from 2016 to 2017, then again in 2020 with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the submission numbers have recovered some post-pandemic, we remain far short of the number of submissions from a decade ago. In 2023, submissions to the ARP categories accounted for only 2.5% of all abstract submissions. The Annual Meeting Planning Committee, ARP Executive Committee and Committee on Research Taskforces continue to explore strategies to return to a deep scientific program.
Tips for Successful Abstract Submission
One of my favorite parts of roaming the poster hall is seeing trainees presenting their first posters alongside seasoned veterans and world-renowned scientists. The due date this year is May 13 (noon EDT), a month earlier than normal because ACR Convergence 2025 is in October.
If you are new to submitting scientific abstracts to ACR Convergence, here are some tips for success:
Preparing the abstract
- Establish a clear purpose and hypothesis in the Background/Purpose;
- Summarize the key methods;
- Ensure the analysis in the Methods section aligns with the purpose and hypothesis;
- Provide data in the Results section—tables and figures are encouraged;
- Clearly describe the impact on rheumatology in the Conclusion.
Submitting the abstract
- Plan to submit the abstract well ahead of the due date. If you are new to submission, you may need some time to familiarize yourself with the submission portal and allow time to troubleshoot if you need help.
- Be thoughtful in selecting a category. Last year, the ARP offered the following abstract categories:
- Clinical Practice/Patient Care
- Epidemiology & Public Health
- *Health Services Research
- *Orthopedics, Low Back Pain & Rehabilitation
- Patient Education/Community Programs
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Psychology/Social Sciences
- Research Methodology
*These categories are combined with ACR submissions and are evaluated by reviewers nominated by both organizations.
- Read the directions and ensure all components are completed.
Reviewers: We Need You
Reviewing abstracts is an important step to ensure the best science is presented at ACR Convergence. As the ARP abstract chair, I oversee the review process to facilitate fair and qualified reviews for all abstracts. Each ARP category has a lead reviewer. In addition to reviewing all the abstracts in that category, they invite other reviewers for that category; the number of reviewers for each category depends on the anticipated number of abstracts in the category.
Each abstract is reviewed on a seven-point scale, with 1 indicating outstanding (the best 5%) and 7 indicating reject (not appropriate). The total abstract score is the average across all reviews. If there is a conflict of interest (e.g., the reviewer is an author), the abstract is not reviewed by that reviewer. Each abstract is reviewed by four to six reviewers.
After all abstracts are reviewed, the category leads may nominate exceptional abstracts, based on the best average abstract scores, for plenary and oral presentations. In the past several years, ~70% of abstracts in ARP categories have been selected for presentation in the poster hall or at oral sessions.
It’s Go Time
If you are catching this article in a quiet moment between patients or meetings, here are the key points to be mindful of this year:
- Abstracts are due a month earlier this year! The abstract submission site opened on March 25, 2025, and closes on May 13 at noon (EDT) at https://rheumatology.org/annual-meeting-abstract-submission.
- Earlier abstract due dates also mean earlier reviewing—which will occur in June.
As always, we value your feedback. Research is in a constant state of change, and as such, we are always looking out for ways to improve the event and process. If you have questions about abstract submission, are interested in reviewing abstracts or have feedback to share, contact me ([email protected]).
Louise M. Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Physical Therapy in the Department of Health Sciences and School of Medicine, as well as a member of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the ARP abstract chair as part of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee Leadership Team. She previously served the ACR and ARP as a member of the Early Career Investigator Subcommittee of the Committee on Research.
