Rheumatic Conditions Treated

Rheumatology Conditions

At UChicago Medicine, we provide the most advanced care for rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Our physicians are involved in critical research on these diseases, looking at genetic and biochemical markers. Knowledge of rheumatic diseases is growing, and better treatments are becoming available that can improve quality of life while limiting pain and other symptoms.

More than 100 rheumatic and autoimmune diseases exist, and many can be difficult to diagnose and manage. Our regionally and nationally respected rheumatologists provide care for these conditions and many others:

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Immunotherapy-related adverse events
Interstitial lung disease
Lupus
Polymyositis
Raynaud's phenomenon
Rheumatoid and seronegative arthritis
Scleroderma
Vasculitis

Pre-Conception and Pregnancy Clinic for Women with Autoimmune and Rheumatic Conditions

UChicago Medicine offers one of the few programs in the U.S. that specializes in helping women with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and other autoimmune and rheumatic conditions to have healthy and safe pregnancies. As the evaluation and treatment of autoimmune and rheumatic conditions have improved, so has the care of women with these diagnoses who are trying to have a child or are already pregnant.

Our rheumatologists work closely with our dedicated team of high-risk pregnancy physicians, physician assistants, nurses and other specialists to help our patients have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.

During in-person or virtual pre-conception consultations, we review the patient’s medical history and medications, and create a pregnancy plan. If the patient is already pregnant, we help manage the patient’s rheumatic and autoimmune conditions during the pregnancy.

We treat women with the following conditions:

Ankylosing spondylitis
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis
Inflammatory myositis such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
Mixed connective tissue disease
Periodic fever syndromes
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma/systemic sclerosis
Sjogren’s syndrome
Still’s disease
Uveitis
All forms of vasculitis
Other more rare autoimmune and rheumatic conditions

We are also active in research and advocacy to increase medical advancements and awareness of medication safety in pregnancy so that many more women with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases can have successful pregnancies now and in the future.

What to expect during your visit to the rheumatology clinic

Whether we see you in-person or virtually, we want your appointment to go as smoothly as possible, and we want to help prepare you for your visit.

What do I need to do for the first visit?

Most patients seen by a rheumatologist are referred by either their primary care provider or another doctor who is providing specialty care. Make sure that this provider has sent us a referral, your records, X-rays and any other reports or studies.

Bring a list of your medications or the medications themselves.

If you have X-rays, CT scans or MRI images on a disc, please bring these to your appointment.

Set up a UChicago Medicine MyChart account. Here you can ask additional questions and send us pictures or other records you may want to share ahead of your appointment. We also use MyChart after your appointment to communicate with you. If you have MyChart accounts at other hospitals, these can be linked.

What happens after my first visit?

Once we know your diagnosis, we can start treatment.

Sometimes, determining a diagnosis can take more than one visit. We also may need additional tests or help from other specialists to determine how best to help you. If you need to schedule another visit, one of our care team members can help you. You may also call 773-702-6119 or log in to MyChart to make an appointment.

It takes 7 to 10 days for all the tests results to come in. While you may receive results sooner, please wait at least 10 days before asking to discuss results with your provider.

After your visit, your primary care provider and/or the provider who referred you will get a copy of our notes with the details of your visit. It is important that the primary care provider remain the main resource for your medical care. If you do not have a primary care provider, we can help you find one.

The rheumatology clinic has many ongoing research studies. If you are eligible for a study, we will ask if you are interested in hearing more about it from a research coordinator. Research studies are voluntary, and you will receive the same excellent quality of care whether or not you participate. Participating in research may help you and others who have rheumatic diseases.