History

Established in the Year: 1971
  • 1971 - DME Approval for Rheumatic care Unit
  • 1972 - Outpatient department started functioning
  • 1973 - Physiotherapy wing established
  • 1974 - Prof.A.L.Annamalai took over as HOD
  • 1976 - Prof.K.V.Thiruvenkadamtook over as HOD
  • 1978 - Prof.A.N.Chandrasekaran appointed as reader
  • 1991 - For the First time in India D.M.Rheumatology Post Doctoral Degree course started with the sanction of 2 post graduate seats
  • 1993 - Journal of Indian Rheumatology association (JIRA) was started first in India with Prof. A.N.Chandrasekaran as the editor in chief.
  • 2010 - Number of D.M seats increased to 4
  • 2015 - Upgraded to an Institute
  • 2021 - Separate rheumatology block started functioning
  • 2022 - Celebrated the Golden Jubilee

Faculty & Residents

Staff Image

Dr.P.S.Arul Rajamurugan

Associate Professor /HOD

Name of the Residents joined in the year 2022 Name of the Residents joined in the year 2023 Name of the Residents joined in the year 2024
Dr. Durga Lakshmi. J Dr. Ashwant kumar Dr. S. Keerthana

Facility & Clinical Care

    1. Outpatient service
  • OPD services are the most important part of rheumatology. OPD is in 1 floor of rheumatology block. We deal with around 500 cases per day. We receive patients from all over Tamilnadu as well as from outside state. We have separate OP for new patients and patients who are on long term follow up. Our OP timing is from 8.00 am to 10.00 AM from Monday to Friday and 8.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays. We conduct lupus clinic on Saturdays from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Our OPD includes new patient's OPD, counter OPD, Pharmacy, physiotherapy, patient registration, patient's waiting area and X-ray unit.
    2. In patient service
  • Our inpatient ward is equipped with 60 beds. This includes Male ward, Female ward, day care ward and ICU Ward. We have monthly admissions of around 130 patients in female ward, 90 patients in male ward and 30 patients in ICU. Ward rounds are taken by postgraduates, assistant professors and Head of Department on daily basis for patient care. ICU is equipped with 10 beds, 4 ventilators, central oxygen supply, 3 Multi para monitors, 4 pulse oximeters and one ECG machine. Ward is equipped with procedure room for procedures like synovial fluid aspiration, intra articular injections, skin biopsy etc. We have Day care ward for the patients who are admitted for procedures as well as for biological DMARDS injections.
    3. Physiotherapy
  • Physiotherapy unit is in the 6th floor of rheumatology block. Two physiotherapists are currently employed, providing their services to aid patients in rehabilitation and physical improvement. Services include electrotherapy (Interferential Therapy, TENS, Ultrasound Therapy, Infra-red radiation, Electrical stimulation, Wax-bath Therapy), Exercise therapy and play therapy.
    4. Immunology Laboratory
  • We perform a range of immunology testing including the conventional latex agglutination test for Rheumatoid Factor (RF), C Reactive protein (CRP) and Anti-Streptolysin O (ASO);ELISA testing for auto antibodies titre Anti Nuclear Antibody (ANA), double stranded DNA (dsDNA), Anti Cyclic Citrulinated Peptide(ACCP), Beta 2 Glyco Protein 1 (ß2 GP1), Anti Cardiolipin (ACL), Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), Cryoglobulin, ANA Profile of antibodies by immunoblotting, Immunofluorescence using HEP2000 Substrate for ANA and C3 AND C4 by Nephelometry technique.Our gamut of investigations also includes Polarising microscopy, Lupus anticoagulant testing, HLA typing that is carried out using the lymphocytotoxicity (LCT) assay. All these investigations are expensive and require advanced level of technical expertise.PCR Lab is functioning in the 7th floor. Our lab strives to provide quality reporting of these speciality tests under one roof to the poor and needy rheumatological patients of RGGGH.
    5. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is a growing field which plays a major role in diagnosing rheumatic diseases and doing interventions in managing patients.
    6. Nail fold Capillaroscopy
  • Nail fold capillaroscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool in rheumatology, enabling non-invasive examination of micro vascular abnormalities in patients with autoimmune diseases. It provides insights into conditions like systemic sclerosis and helps in early detection and monitoring of vascular changes. This technique plays a crucial role in optimizing patient care and treatment strategies.
    7. Intra articular injections
  • Our department also carries out intra articular steroids in inflammatory arthritis and intra articular hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis.
    8. Biologic Therapy
  • Our facility offers a comprehensive range of biologic injections, including infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, secukinumab, rituximab, tocilizumab, and more, to effectively manage patients with rheumatological conditions. We have well-equipped day care wards dedicated to ensuring the safe and convenient administration of these treatments.

Academic Forum

GUEST LECTURES / ORATION
S.NO Date Name of the Guest Lecturer Topic of the Guest Lecture State or National level
1 28/3/2022 Dr. P. Shanmuga Sundaram FDG-PET basics and its role in non oncological indications STATE
SEMINAR / SYMPOSIUM
S.NO Date Seminar and Symposium with Title Presentor& moderators with their designation State or National level or institute level University / TNMSC Credits / both if present
1 3.1.24 Inflammatory eye diseases for rheumatologist JC Dr Durgalakshmi Institute level No
CME / CONFERENCE
S.NO Date CME / CONFERENCE – Title University / TNMSC Credits / both if present State or National level or institute level
1 02.04.24 Takayasu arteritis CME – Prof. Dr. Misra No Institute level
WORKSHOP / TRAINING PROGRAMME
S.NO Date WORKSHOP / TRAINING with Title University / TNMSC Credits / both if present State or National level or Institute
1 23.01.24 Scientific writing workshop - Abott No Institute level
QUIZ / COMPETITIONS
S.NO Date Quiz /competitions with Title University / TNMSC Credits / both if present Prizes awarded to a. Inter or Intra – Collegiate Level b. State or National level
1
Other Events
S.NO Date Other events with Title Details
1 12/11/2022 Institute Golden Jubilee Function

Scientific Forum

Completed Projects
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Ongoing Projects
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Sponsored Projects
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Publications
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Awards & Achievements

S.NO Date/Month & Year Name of the Awards & achievements received Name of the awardee with designation District level / State level / National level Images
1 10/04/2022 1st place in quiz Dr. Mahabaleshwar Clinical Rheumatology Conference 2022, Hyderabad Institute View

Success Stories

Success story 1
  • Young girl with the diagnosis of SLE/Secondary APS with gangrene of the feet was treated with immunosuppressive therapy and surgery her limbs were salvaged
Success story 2
  • Young girl with Childhood SLE admitted with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was saved with costly drug called IV IG and Plasma exchange along with immunosuppressive therapy
Success story 3
  • A young girl with bleeding from nose, mouth, urogenital tract, ears was diagnosed to have Ehler Danlos Syndrome and treated with medications
Success story 4
  • A bed ridden young boy with juvenile spondyloarthropathy with deformities was treated with biological therapy and physical rehabilitation started to walk independently

Others

  • Patient education on importance of Physiotherapy held on -11/11/2022
  • LUPUS PATIENT AWARNESS PROGRAM- 10/05/2023
  • ARTHRITIS AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS & PUBLIC- 30/10/2023
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