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Al Rahba Hospital, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, has inaugurated a new Rheumatology Clinic. The clinic offers treatment for patients suffering from rheumatic disorders in Abu Dhabi, a condition that afflicts 20 percent of the UAE population in some form during their lifetime. At present time, there is an average of 14 patients per day visiting the clinic during operational hours. Currently, the clinic is open two days a week, where it offers treatment of various disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
“Rheumatic disorders represent a very widespread group of diseases with a different origin and large spectrum of symptoms. It includes degenerative joint diseases, e.g. osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, but also systemic inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus. It has the potential to significantly reduce sufferers’ quality of life. The specialized Rheumatology Clinic will ensure that patients can be provided specialized help and treatment to manage the disease,” said Dr. Roman Stancik, Rheumatologist at Al Rahba Hospital.
“We are pleased to have been able to offer this service to our patients. Al Rahba Hospital has always been proactive in ensuring research, development and advancement on disease management, and our ongoing commitment to patient care is something we are exceptionally proud of, and maintain through stringent effort. I strongly encourage sufferers of possible rheumatic disease to seek the help of a qualified rheumatologist immediately,” Dr. Stancik added.
Rheumatic disorders are hard to generalize due to the various origin, symptoms and conditions they result in. However, osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease is the most common joint disorder. It may affect almost every joint of the body, but most commonly the knees, hips and small joints of the hand. The prevalence of this disease increases with aging; about 60-90% people over the age of 65 are affected. Main symptoms are the joint pain and progressive loss of mobility. Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA] is a common type of inflammatory rheumatic disease. It primary affects the joints, but other organs [e.g. skin, lungs or kidney] may be involved too. About 1% of world’s population suffers from this disease, with women 3 times more likely to suffer than men. Typical symptoms of RA are painful, swollen joints associated with stiffness and limited movement. In contrary to osteoarthritis, the onset of RA is most common in age between 40 and 50 but very young people are often affected too. The cause of this disease is unknown. Long-term medical care with regularly scheduled visits in rheumatology clinic is essential for the treatment.
“Rheumatic disorders can be varied and complicated. However, Al Rahba’s new clinic will help further Al Rahba’s commitment to offering world-class healthcare that can significantly improve patients’ health and quality of life,” Dr. Stancik concluded.
Al Rahba Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
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