The Rheumatology Service at Hygeia Hospital is structured to offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment of rheumatic diseases through:
– **Outpatient Service**, where all patients are welcomed for a consultation with a rheumatologist.
– **Day Hospital Service**, primarily for patients who do not require long-term hospitalization but need medical therapy requiring several hours of monitoring, such as intravenous medications (biological drugs, anti-osteoporosis therapies, etc.).
– **Inpatient Service**, for patients requiring closer evaluation and full treatment until their condition stabilizes.
Rheumatologists at Hygeia Hospital also provide consultations for patients admitted in other hospital departments who show signs of rheumatic conditions.
Treatment is based on comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluation, enabling the most suitable therapy plan for each patient. Before starting treatment, the rheumatologist discusses the therapy with the patient, explaining the regimen and its intended results.
Therapies include monotherapy or combination treatments depending on disease stage, with the aim of achieving significant health improvement. Key medication categories include:
– **Analgesics**, to relieve pain and enhance the effect of other treatments.
– **Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)**, to reduce pain and swelling. They work quickly but for short durations, and should be taken regularly. Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen, diclofenac, indomethacin, nimesulide, naproxen, etc.
– **Glucocorticoids (corticosteroids)**, highly effective in reducing inflammation. Although they don’t cure the disease, they suppress progression and relieve symptoms. Available as oral tablets or injectable forms. Examples: prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone.
– **Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)**, which target the disease itself. These work slower than NSAIDs but are essential for controlling disease activity. DMARDs are classified as traditional (e.g., Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine, Sulfasalazine, Azathioprine, Leflunomide) and biological (e.g., Adalimumab, Etanercept, Infliximab, Rituximab, Tocilizumab, etc.).
– **Osteoporosis Medications**, including Calcium and Vitamin D, bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate, Risedronate), teriparatide, raloxifene, denosumab, hormone replacement therapy, etc.
Since all medications have potential side effects, therapies are initiated only after full clinical evaluation. For example, calcium and vitamin D may be prescribed with corticosteroids to minimize bone loss; gastric protectors may be used alongside NSAIDs.
Treatment also includes other important elements:
– **Patient education**, helping patients understand their disease, risk factors, medications, diet, and the importance of quitting smoking to improve their quality of life.
– **Ongoing monitoring**, tracking both treatment benefits and potential side effects. All data is stored in electronic systems to assess progress.
– **Rehabilitation**, in collaboration with the Physiotherapy Unit, prescribing exercises to reduce symptoms, improve mobility, and maintain muscle strength.
– **Complication management**, in cooperation with other hospital departments (Dermatology, Neurology, Nephrology, Infectious Diseases, Orthopedics, etc.).
The Rheumatology Department at Hygeia Hospital actively participates in scientific research and continuing medical education both nationally and internationally, bringing state-of-the-art treatment to patients with rheumatic diseases.
- The Rheumatology Service at Hygeia Hospital Tirana provides specialized treatment for all rheumatic diseases, including:
- Inflammatory arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Inflammatory Spondyloarthropathies, etc.).
- Degenerative arthritis (Osteoarthritis, low back pain).
- Systemic connective tissue diseases and vasculitis (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren’s Syndrome, Wegener’s Granulomatosis, and other vasculitides).
- Metabolic bone diseases (Osteoporosis, Paget’s Disease).
- Soft tissue rheumatic conditions (Periarthritis, Tendinitis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
- Neuropathies such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Autoinflammatory diseases (Adult-onset Still’s Disease, Familial Mediterranean Fever, etc.).
- Advanced laboratory and imaging diagnostics are used for fast and accurate assessment, including:
- Hematological and biochemical testing
- Immunological testing to evaluate autoimmunity profiles
- Modern imaging techniques: digital radiography, CT, MRI, PET-CT, bone density measurement, musculoskeletal ultrasound
- Electrophysiological assessments (electromyography)
- Multidisciplinary biopsy and histopathological evaluation in systemic diseases with multi-organ involvement