Our institution
Created in 1948, Instituto Português de Reumatologia (Portuguese Institute of Rheumatology) is one of the oldest institutions fully devoted to the treatment and management of rheumatic patients.
At Portuguese Institute of Rheumatology, we are focus on the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with rheumatic diseases and a strong tradition of pre and postgraduate education and training of physicians and health allied professionals. It was in IPR that the specialty of Rheumatology was born in Portugal and where the first interns of Rheumatology were trained. Since the creation of the Rheumatology Internship, dozens of residents did their training here. In addition, hundreds of residents from other specialties did their formation in rheumatology (General practitioners, Rehabilitation Medicine, Internal Medicine, Clinical Pathology, etc). Health allied professionals like nurses, nutritionists, podologists, rehabilitation technicians’ also benefit from the formation in our institution.
In addition to its clinical and training aspects, clinical research, based on a demanding and quality clinical practice, is one of the most visible aspects of the activity of the Portuguese Institute of Rheumatology. The creation, more than 15 years ago, of a center for clinical research and randomized control trials was a breakthrough on our vision, for a clinical activity with a holistic approach to the rheumatic patient. The institution is now considered, among peers, as one of the largest and best centers for clinical trials and research in Portugal rivalling with centers of excellence in Europe.
The quality of our unit of musculoskeletal ultrasound and guided echo techniques is recognized (distinguished with the European seal of quality by EULAR) and the unit of osteo-metabolic diseases or Pediatric Rheumatology are some of the areas of great investment and quality.
Our Day Hospital is one of the most effective and with the highest technological level, on a national level, in obtaining quality data in the follow-up of patients with rheumatic pathologies under biotechnological therapies or JAK Kinase inhibitors. Such activity and specificity, make us one of the largest contributors of clinical data to Reuma.pt and its scientific activity.
In an adverse context, in terms of its definition as a social solidarity private institution, without the profits of being part of health economic groups or the unrestricted support of the national health service, we were able to maintain the excellence of the clinical assistance to patients and the scientific activity. Since 1948, uninterruptedly, with have been cooperating with the national health service, contributing to the improvement of the lives of thousands of rheumatic patients and their families.
Areas of clinical interest / large experience
Rheumatic Diseases in their globality and variety (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondylarthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, biotechnological/small molecule therapies)
- Clinical nutrition
- Aging and musculoskeletal system
- Rehabilitation
- Use of new technologies in the follow-up of rheumatic patients.