Experiences From a Combined Dermatology and Rheumatology Clinic

The retrospective review of a combined Dermatology and Rheumatology Clinic over two years revealed that 320 new patients, predominantly female (78%) with a median age of 48, were seen. The most common rheumatologic conditions were systemic lupus erythematosus (18%), rheumatoid arthritis (15%), psoriatic arthritis (13%), and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (8%), while dermatologic conditions included dermatitis (17%), psoriasis (11%), cutaneous lupus (7%), various types of alopecia (6%), and infections (5%). The findings indicated that dermatologic issues were often not related to the rheumatologic conditions, underscoring the value of a multidisciplinary approach. The clinic also provided educational benefits for trainees, particularly in areas like alopecia. The study emphasized the mutual advantages for rheumatologists and dermatologists in understanding the skin conditions that may affect rheumatologic patients. No financial support was involved in the research or publication of the article.