Many diseases of the skin and the musculoskeletal system share the common pathogenesis: excessive activation of the immune system resulting in autoimmune conditions. Examples of such diseases are psoriatic arthritis (joint inflammation seen in patients with psoriasis), lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, or vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). Optimal care for patients suffering from those conditions can only be provided in the context of a multidisciplinary clinic. To better serve the patients with those complex diseases we have established DART clinic co-attended by physicians representing Dermatology and Rheumatology. An important role of the clinic is to rule out or confirm the diagnosis of autoimmune disease in patients presenting with a combination of skin and musculoskeletal symptoms and signs.
DART clinic has high teaching value to trainees and patients will often experience several learners in the examination room. We perform and teach capillaroscopy, an essential method in diagnosing many autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma, dermatomyositis, or lupus erythematosus.
Staff
Dr. Robert Gniadecki (dermatology), Dr. Elaine Yacyshyn (rheumatology), Dr. Mohammed Osman (rheumatology and clinical immunology)
Useful resources
Rheumatologists in Alberta have a useful website with patient-oriented material on diseases and therapies (link)
Lupus Canada (link)
Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients (link) has information on psoriatic arthritis and common treatments used in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.