• Diagnosis, study and evaluation of complications associated with autoimmune diseases.
• Diagnosis, study and evaluation of complications associated with inflammatory joint diseases.
• Diagnosis, study and evaluation of patients with different bone metabolic diseases.
• Treatment of acute vertebral fracture through the technique of vertebroplasty.

• Diagnosis, study and follow-up of patients with rheumatic problems received by other hospital services.

• Diagnosis and control of autoimmune diseases.
• Diagnosis and control of inflammatory joint diseases.
• Diagnosis and control of rheumatic diseases of the pediatric age.
• Follow-up of biological treatments for the control of inflammatory and autoimmune joint diseases.
• Diagnosis and control of bone metabolism.
• Specialized visits to health areas linked to the Hospital, such as the primary care centers Dr. Robert in Badalona and Dr. Barraquer in Sant Adrià del Besòs.

• Administration of biological treatments by endovenous route for the control of inflammatory joint diseases.
• Administration of endovenous treatments for the control of autoimmune diseases.
• Administration of drugs by endovenosa for osteoporosis.
• Endovenous Ferrotherapy.

Bone densitometry

It is the reference technique to determine the bone mineral density through a dual X-ray source. The main applications of densitometry are the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the risk assessment of fractures and the monitoring of anti-osteoporotic treatments.
Densitometry also allows the measurement of body compartments (bone mass, lean and fat).

Capilaroscopy

Exploration of the superficial circulation of the fingers, to the matrix of the nail, by means of an optical microscope. It is used to study the phenomenon of Raynaud (a vasoespastic disorder that changes the coloration of the fingers), as an aid to diagnose some diseases of the connective tissue.

Joint ultrasound

Exploration by means of an ultrasonic probe that allows to identify the different joint structures, assess the presence of inflammation and facilitate the joint joint puncture.

Diagnostic arthrocentesis

Joint puncture to obtain and analyze the synovial fluid (what is inside the joints and which serves to favor the movement and reduce the friction between cartilages) and facilitate the diagnosis of some diseases. Its analysis allows to evaluate the presence of inflammation (cytological and biochemical study), evaluate the possible infection (microbiological study) and identify the presence of microcrystals by means of a polarized light microscope.

Schirmer's test

Prova que avalua la capacitat de secreció lacrimal. S’efectua aplicant una tireta de paper absorbent sobre a la conjuntiva ocular. És una tècnica complementària indicada per al diagnòstic de la síndrome de Sjögren, un trastorn autoimmunitari que altera les glàndules que secreten les llàgrimes i la saliva.

Salivary gland biopsy

Obtain a sample of the lower salivary gland of the mucosa of the lower lip by means of a small excision. It is a technique indicated for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that alters the glands that secret the tears and saliva.

Aspirational puncture or biopsy of abdominal fat

Obtaining a sample of abdominal fat that allows to evaluate the presence of complications of some rheumatic diseases.

Muscle biopsy

Obtain a sample of muscle, usually from the calf (back of the leg), by means of an excision. Technique indicated for the diagnosis of vasculitis and some diseases of the connective tissue.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are part of clinical research and the center of all medical advances. They look for new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases. Treatments may be new medications or new ways of using existing treatments. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Participants in clinical trials may receive the newest treatments free of charge and with the additional care and attention of the clinical trial staff. The team includes doctors and nurses who check the participant's health at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions to participate in it and carefully monitor the participant during the study. The studies follow a carefully controlled protocol that details what researchers have to do. Participants always remain anonymous.

Scleroderma

Scleroderma (hard skin) is a rare disease with an unknown cause. It affects women more than men and usually appears in adulthood. There are 2 variants, one limited and one diffuse. The first one usually affects older people, on the contrary the diffuse form is more frequent in young people. Raynaud's phenomenon is very characteristic: the small arteries of the fingers and toes suffer from a vasospasm, this is manifested in the fingers becoming pale like wax. Both clinical forms have a different skin involvement but share the involvement of target organs such as: esophagus, lung and heart. Currently there is no treatment that puts a brake on the disease. However, there are numerous treatments that improve the complications that may appear.

Gout

Gout is a disease caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in joints. It affects 1-2% of the population, predominantly males. It is a chronic process by definition, although its clinical manifestations may not be present or appear only intermittently during the initial phases. The typical clinical manifestation is the recurrent episodes of acute arthritis, which appear separated by inter-critical periods of variable duration. Several treatments are currently available that allow normalizing uric acid levels and controlling episodes of arthritis, thus avoiding the pain and disability they produce.

Psoriasic arthritis

Arthritis is a frequent manifestation in patients with cutaneous psoriasis (30%), particularly if the scalp or nails is affected. It is a chronic arthropathy that can inflame the joints, tendons and the axial skeleton, in a very variable way. It can affect one or multiple joints, with talalgia and inflammation of the fingers or with nighttime low back pain. But in addition to osteoarticular manifestations, it can often occur with uveitis and is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. There are currently multiple treatments of proven efficacy, both synthetic (methotrexate, leflunomide) and biological agents (aimed at blocking various mediators of inflammation) and new selective immunomodulators.

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