Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City launches multidisciplinary clinic to improve lupus care
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect several organs, including the joints, skin, kidneys, brain and cardiovascular system.
UAE— Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a subsidiary of PureHealth, has launched an integrated multidisciplinary Lupus Clinic to provide coordinated, patient-centred care for people living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The clinic brings together rheumatologists, nephrologists, dermatologists, neurologists, haematologists and other specialists so patients can receive comprehensive assessments and coordinated treatment during a single visit.
This approach reduces the need for multiple referrals and appointments across different specialties, which can otherwise take weeks or months.
In addition, patients can access pharmacy services, psychological support and other specialised services as part of the coordinated care model.
The multidisciplinary team works together to develop an individualised treatment plan based on each patient’s needs.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect several organs, including the joints, skin, kidneys, brain and cardiovascular system.
It predominantly affects women aged 15 to 45, with the World Lupus Federation estimating that women account for approximately 90% of people living with the disease.
A 2023 study estimated that about 16,500 people in the UAE live with lupus.
Because the disease can affect different organs and often presents symptoms similar to other conditions, patients may experience delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Supporting women through pregnancy
The clinic also provides specialised support for women with lupus who are planning to have children.
Through collaboration between rheumatology, obstetrics and haematology teams, patients can receive pregnancy planning, maternal-foetal monitoring and blood-clot management.
This coordinated approach allows specialists to monitor disease activity and potential complications throughout pregnancy while ensuring that treatment decisions account for both maternal and fetal health.
Dr Abdulqader Almessabi, Chief Medical Officer at SSMC, said lupus often requires lifelong care from multiple specialists.
“At SSMC, our goal is to provide a coordinated model that puts the patient at the centre of every decision,” he said.
He added that the clinic demonstrates SSMC’s commitment to integrated care by improving collaboration among specialists and enabling patients to receive faster, more personalised treatment.
Earlier diagnosis and coordinated treatment
Lupus can affect multiple organs and may require patients to consult several specialists during their care journey.
Doctors may also need to conduct extensive investigations, including specialised blood tests and, in some cases, skin or kidney biopsies, to confirm a diagnosis.
By bringing specialists together, the clinic aims to facilitate timely diagnosis and early intervention, potentially reducing the risk of long-term organ damage and disease progression.
Dr Mumtaz Khan, Consultant and Chair of the Rheumatology Division at SSMC, said many people with lupus spend years seeking a diagnosis and coordinated treatment.
He said the combined clinic allows patients to meet rheumatologists, dermatologists, nephrologists, haematologists and neurologists together during the same visit.
This enables specialists to agree on a unified approach to diagnosis and treatment and make faster, more informed decisions.
The Lupus Clinic forms part of SSMC’s efforts to expand specialised multidisciplinary services for people with complex autoimmune diseases and strengthen integrated lupus care in Abu Dhabi and the wider region through research, education and clinical excellence.
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