Dr. Iftach Sagy, internist and rheumatologist at Soroka: "This is a unique service that includes combined clinics with specialists from relevant fields to provide a holistic response to patients suffering from rheumatological diseases with complex systemic manifestations that require multidisciplinary collaboration."
Rheumatological diseases are inflammatory autoimmune diseases that involve a large number of organs. Beyond the joints and skeletal system, they may affect the skin, kidneys, lungs, digestive system, eyes, blood cells, heart, and nervous system.
To deal with the involvement of several affected organs in those suffering from rheumatological diseases, a unique combined service has been developed and is now offered within the rheumatological clinic at Soroka, under the management of Prof. Mahmoud Abu Shakra and a team of specialists: Dr. Lior Zeller, a rheumatologist and head of Internal Medicine Department C; Dr. Eli Rosenberg, internist, clinical immunologist, and allergist; Dr. Iftach Sagy, internist and rheumatologist; Dr. Eduard Ling, director of the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic and senior physician in Pediatrics Department B; and Arlette Bohbut and Hana Levy, the clinic nurses. The service allows patients to undergo an integrated assessment by a rheumatologist and another specialist at the clinic depending on their clinical manifestations.
The unique service of the clinic is provided in many areas, including:
• The joint Rheumatology-Gastroenterology Clinic for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, in collaboration with Dr. Doron Schwartz and Dr. Arik Segal of the Gastroenterology Institute at Soroka
• The joint Rheumatology-Pulmonology Clinic for the treatment of interstitial lung diseases (severe lung diseases characterized by the development of lung scars), in collaboration with Dr. Michael Kassirer of the Pulmonology Institute at Soroka
• The joint Rheumatology-Ophthalmology Clinic for the treatment of corneal diseases and uveitis (intraocular inflammation) in collaboration with Dr. Marina Schenk and Dr. Boris Knyazer of Soroka's Ophthalmology Service
In addition, the clinic staff cooperates closely with the staff of the Nephrology, the Coagulation Disorders Unit, and the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Iftach Sagy, internist and rheumatologist at Soroka: "The combined rheumatology clinic, with its various specialists, was established out of the need to provide holistic treatment to our patients under one roof and accompany them as we address and control the various manifestations of their conditions, improve their quality of life, optimize drug treatment, and prevent future damage."
