Patients from all over the country choose the Rheumatology Clinic at “Heart and Brain” for diagnosis and treatment
Intensive training and qualification of young doctors
The Rheumatology Clinic at ,Heart and Brain’ has established itself as a national center for diagnosis and treatment. In just the first seven months of 2025, 843 patients have been treated. Throughout 2024, their number was 1,338, while from the clinic’s opening on September 2 until the end of 2023, 322 patients received care.
“We are increasingly admitting severe and complex cases of lupus, arthritis, and osteoporosis. This is the result of adhering to international standards in rheumatology – high-quality laboratory and diagnostic equipment, a professional treatment approach, and continuous patient follow-up by a highly qualified team,” emphasized Prof. Nikolay Nikolov, Head of the Clinic.
According to the clinic’s analysis, the largest share of cases are inflammatory joint diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, and myositis. The second largest group includes degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. “Heart and Brain” is equipped with the most advanced DEXA scanner for precise bone density measurement and osteoporosis diagnosis. In third place are connective tissue diseases, often related to autoimmune processes.
Alongside its daily clinical work, the team is actively preparing for the National Rheumatology Congress in October in Plovdiv and the Varna Rheumatology Days in September. Young specialists are working on presentations and posters to showcase innovative approaches and clinical cases.
“All our young doctors regularly participate in international congresses and trainings. Most recently, they attended the World Congress of Rheumatology in Barcelona. They are all certified to work with the capillaroscope and in ultrasound diagnostics of the joints. We also organize frequent microsymposia at the hospital, which enhances motivation and improves the quality of specialized care provided with attention and dedication to our patients,” added Prof. Nikolov.
