The Royal Adelaide Hospital’s Rheumatology Unit provides inpatient and outpatient services for patients with arthritis, inflammatory connective tissue diseases and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Rheumatological conditions may include but are not limited to:
- Recent onset polyarthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
- Inflammatory connective tissue diseases (e.g. comprising lupus, Sjogren’s disease, scleroderma, inflammatory myopathies)
- Psoriatic arthritis and other spondyloarthritides
- Vasculitis
- Crystal-induced arthritis (e.g. gout)
- Systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g. giant cell arteritis).
The Rheumatology Unit has developed world-class expertise and research programs in various rheumatological conditions, such as early rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, inflammatory myopathies and giant cell arteritis, as well as in the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Research staff assist with both investigator-led studies and industry sponsored clinical trials. Research collaborations with colleagues from national and international research institutions also occur.
All rheumatologists have clinical associate titles at the the University of Adelaide and are involved in teaching students at the University of Adelaide Medical School and junior medical, nursing and allied health staff in CALHN.
Outpatient Service
The outpatient service is structured as “themed” clinics according to the type of rheumatological condition. Patients are generally seen by a consultant medical officer, either directly or following assessment by a registrar, specialist nurse and/or allied health professional, depending on the reason for referral and their ongoing care needs.