Rheumatoid & Inflammatory Arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis behaves differently from wear-and-tear joint pain: stiffness is worse after rest, swelling comes and goes, and early treatment changes long-term outcomes. This collection covers the warning signs of inflammatory arthritis, how rheumatoid arthritis is distinguished from lupus and fibromyalgia, how treatment decisions are made and reviewed over time, and what pregnancy planning looks like when you live with an inflammatory condition.

A rheumatologist examining the swollen knee of a young girl with psoriasis patches in a bright clinic room

Rheumatology

Psoriatic Arthritis in Children: When Joint Pain Gets Blamed on a Fall

A swollen knee in a child is usually a bump. Sometimes it is juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Signs, why eye screening matters, and how treatment evolves.

August 7, 20265 min readDr. Bassel Darwish

A woman rheumatologist discussing a pregnancy planning guide for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and APS with a female patient in a bright clinic room

Rheumatology

Planning a Pregnancy with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus in Dubai: What Changes, What to Ask Your Rheumatologist

Planning a pregnancy with RA or lupus in Dubai? How pregnancy affects rheumatic disease, what to plan for in advance, and what to ask your rheumatologist.

August 5, 20269 min readDr. Bassel Darwish

Young man sitting on the edge of his bed holding his lower back at sunrise, with the Dubai skyline visible through the window

Rheumatology

Seven Years of Back Pain — And the Diagnosis That Changed Everything

A Dubai rheumatologist explains how axial spondyloarthritis hides behind normal blood tests, why MRI matters, and when back pain needs specialist assessment.

August 2, 20266 min readDr. Bassel Darwish

A rheumatologist explaining a hand-drawn treatment pathways diagram comparing conventional DMARDs and biologic therapies to a male patient

Rheumatology

Biologic Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Powerful Tools, But Not Always the First Choice

A Dubai rheumatologist explains biologics, conventional DMARDs and JAK inhibitors for RA — and why the newest treatment is not always the best one.

July 30, 20267 min readDr. Bassel Darwish

Consultant rheumatologist in a white coat discussing treatment options with a patient

Rheumatology

How I Choose the Right Treatment

A Dubai consultant rheumatologist explains how he chooses the right treatment for each patient — balancing evidence, experience and shared decisions.

July 22, 20265 min readDr. Bassel Darwish

Woman sitting on the edge of her bed in the morning holding a stiff, painful wrist

Rheumatology

When Rest Makes Your Joints Worse: An Important Sign of Inflammatory Arthritis

Morning stiffness and pain that worsens after rest may be early signs of inflammatory arthritis. Why recognising them early helps protect your joints.

July 21, 20265 min readDr. Bassel Darwish

Woman with joint pain in her hands and knees

Rheumatology

Lupus vs Rheumatoid Arthritis vs Fibromyalgia: Know the Difference

Joint pain and fatigue can be lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. How a Dubai rheumatologist tells them apart.

July 2, 20268 min readDr. Bassel Darwish