Rheumatology

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and management of rheumatic diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat diseases of the joints, muscles, bones and connective tissues. Rheumatic diseases are usually chronic and autoimmune in nature, resulting from the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues.

Scope of Rheumatology

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation. It progresses with joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness and progressive joint deformities.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): An autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation in the spine and large joints. Characterized by low back and back pain, spinal stiffness and limited movement.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): An autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems. It progresses with symptoms such as skin rashes, joint pain, kidney and heart problems.
• Sjögren Syndrome: An autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and eyes as a result of inflammation of the salivary and tear glands.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Joint inflammation seen in individuals with psoriasis. Characterized by joint pain, swelling and psoriasis plaques on the skin.
• Reactive Arthritis: Joint inflammation that develops in response to infections. It usually occurs after urinary tract or intestinal infections.
• Gout: An acute inflammatory type of arthritis that occurs as a result of the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint. It most commonly affects the big toe.
• Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels. It can affect multiple organ systems and cause symptoms in the skin, kidneys, nerves, and other organs.
• Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma): A disease characterized by hardening and scarring of the skin and internal organs.
• Myositis: Diseases characterized by muscle inflammation and weakness. Dermatomyositis and polymyositis are the most common types.
• Behçet’s Disease: A chronic disease characterized by recurrent mouth and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and eye inflammation.

Importance of Rheumatology

Rheumatic diseases can seriously affect quality of life due to their chronic and progressive nature. These diseases can lead to joint damage, loss of function, and organ damage. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can slow the progression of the disease, relieve symptoms, and improve patients’ quality of life.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods Used in Rheumatology

• Physical Examination: Joint mobility, swelling, pain and deformities are evaluated with a comprehensive physical examination performed by a rheumatologist.
• Blood Tests: Various blood tests used in the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases:
  • Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-CCP: Used in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
  • ANA (Antinuclear Antibody): Used in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.
  • ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein): Used in the evaluation of inflammation.
• Imaging Methods: Evaluation of joint and organ damage with X-ray, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT).
• Arthrocentesis: The process of withdrawing fluid from the joint to examine the joint fluid.
• Biopsy: Examination of tissue samples taken from the skin, kidneys or other organs.

Rheumatic Diseases Treatment Methods

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Used to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Used to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
  • Medicine such as Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Leflunomide, etc.
• Biologic Agents: Target specific components of the immune system to reduce inflammation.
  • Medicine such as TNF inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, B cell inhibitors, etc.
• Corticosteroids: Used to control severe inflammation.
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Exercise and physical therapy programs to increase joint mobility and muscle strength.
• Surgical Interventions: Surgical interventions to correct severe joint damage or deformities.
  • Procedures such as joint replacement (arthroplasty) and synovectomy.

Rheumatology with Asumed Health Care

Asumed Health Care offers the best service in the field of rheumatology by collaborating with leading healthcare institutions in Turkey. The main services we offer to our patients are as follows:

• Diagnosis and Assessment: We ensure that our patients undergo a comprehensive assessment. We ensure that the correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment plan is prepared with physical examination, blood tests, imaging methods and other diagnostic tools.
• Medical Treatment: We apply medical treatments for rheumatic diseases in accordance with the latest treatment protocols. We offer various drug treatments such as NSAIDs, DMARDs, biological agents and corticosteroids.
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: We provide physical therapy and rehabilitation services to our patients to increase joint mobility and muscle strength.
• Surgical Interventions: We provide surgical treatment for rheumatic diseases when necessary. We perform procedures such as joint replacement (arthroplasty) and synovectomy.
• Patient Education and Support: We inform and support our patients about rheumatic diseases and treatment processes. We provide consulting services on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.

• International Patient Support: We offer services specifically designed for our patients coming from abroad. These services include guidance throughout the treatment process, accommodation and transportation arrangements, translation services, and support for other needs.