Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Doctors in the Rheumatology at Tawam Hospital, part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and the biggest healthcare network and a subsidiary of the PureHealth Group – the UAE’s largest integrated healthcare platform-, have successfully treated an Emirati patient with a new medicine for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates based on studies from various countries around the world.

The Rheumatology Department at Tawam provided this medicine at the Infusion Clinic with cutting-edge medication for Lupus.

Elaborating further on the unique treatment, Dr. Khalid Alnaqbi, Consultant & Chief of Rheumatology Department at Tawam Hospital and Adjunct Associate Professor at the UAE University, "The patient’s disease was uncontrolled for several years despite treating her with different medications. Lupus disease is a non-communicable autoimmune disease that may affect any part of the body due to antibodies produced by the body against certain tissues. The disease affects more females than males, and may affect all ages but it is often diagnosed in the 15 to 45 age group.”

Dr Alnaqbi added, “The cause of the disease is still unknown but many factors increase the likelihood of disease development such as genetic predisposition, ultraviolet light, hormonal imbalance, smoking, air pollution, obesity, post-traumatic stress, vitamin D deficiency, interferon, viruses, microbiome and side effects of some medicines.”

Moreover, lupus may affect different parts of the body. Symptoms may be mild or moderate, such as rash, excessive hair loss, headache unresponsive to painkillers, arthritis, low cell counts (white cells, red cells, or platelets), Raynaud’s phenomenon (blue fingers or toes upon exposure to cold or during periods of psychological stress) or dry eyes. Symptoms may be severe, affecting blood vessels, the liver, the kidney or the nervous system.

Discussing living with her disease, the patient Sameeha commented: “I did not discuss my disease with my family or close friends. I was diagnosed 8 years ago and I saw different doctors in many hospitals. I then decided to seek medical advice from Dr. Khalid Alnaqbi at Al Ain hospital, then I followed up in his clinic at Tawam hospital. I was treated with all available medications due to difficulty controlling my lupus, and I had to keep taking many drugs including steroids. Living with this disease has been challenging, but the support from Dr. Khalid and his team helped me tremendously to cope up. I’m glad I finally stopped taking steroids after years of taking it. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Khalid and his team for their exceptional care.”

Treatment of lupus is available at Abu Dhabi SEHA healthcare facilities. Dr. Alnaqbi emphasized the importance of adherence to medications, doctor's advice, clinic appointments, and follow-up tests in order to avoid complications of the disease (such as kidney failure, stroke, blood clot, bleeding in the lungs, and inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart or heart muscle, and pregnancy complications).”

To find out more about Tawam Hospital and SEHA’s services or book an appointment, call 800 50 or visit SEHA.ae. You can also book an appointment through the SEHA Mobile app or WhatsApp us on 02-4102200.

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About SEHA:

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. SEHA is a PureHealth asset, the UAE's largest integrated healthcare platform.

SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class healthcare. SEHA operates 16 hospitals with over 3,900 beds, 74 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 3 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 117,162 inpatients annually and conduct 43,262 surgeries, as well as treating more than five million outpatients.

SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 14,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel. Learn more at www.seha.ae