The Hospital Clínico Virgen de la Victoria has launched the first immune-mediated unit in the province, integrating specialists from digestive, rheumatology, dermatology, and ophthalmology to care for patients with chronic conditions such as Crohn's, arthritis, or psoriasis.
Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases in Málaga now have a unique meeting point. The Hospital Clínico Virgen de la Victoria has launched the Immune-Mediated Unit, a pioneering service in the province that brings together specialists from digestive, rheumatology, dermatology, and ophthalmology in a single consultation. The aim is to avoid long journeys between different centres and to offer a joint assessment in one day.
One consultation, four specialists
The multidisciplinary unit is coordinated by Dr. Raquel Camargo, a specialist in Digestive System. It also involves internal medicine, preventive medicine, hospital pharmacy, and specialised nursing. The idea, explains Camargo, arose from the observation that many patients had to attend consultations in different buildings: rheumatology at the Marítimo Hospital in Torremolinos, digestive at the Clínico, and then to the pharmacy. “Now we jointly assess the patient, see their needs, and agree on the best treatment,” she points out.
“We jointly assess the patient, see their needs, and agree on the best treatment they can receive”
Immune-mediated diseases, previously called inflammatory, are chronic and have no cure. They occur due to a dysregulation of the immune system that causes inflammation in various organs. Among the most common are inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. It is common for a patient to develop several of these throughout their life.
End to hospital peregrinations
Until now, those suffering from more than one of these conditions had to request separate appointments, repeat tests, and travel to different centres. With the new unit, everything is concentrated in one consultation, on the same day and in the same space. Additionally, they can collect their medication on the spot, after reaching a therapeutic decision among the specialists. “It avoids duplicate appointments and the trek across the hospital,” Camargo emphasises.
The treatments, mostly biological, have been used for over 20 years, and new drugs appear each year. “The same medication can be effective for a patient with psoriasis and Crohn's disease,” the doctor clarifies. Although symptoms may disappear, the disease remains latent, meaning these patients never receive discharge and require lifelong follow-up.
The Clínico unit is the first of its kind in Málaga and joins three others already existing in Andalucía. For the future, the team aims to incorporate a psychologist, given the emotional impact these chronic conditions have on patients' quality of life. “They impose a heavy burden on the individual and diminish their quality of life,” concludes Camargo.
Interested patients can be referred by their primary care physician or any specialist at the hospital. Consultations are held at the Clínico itself, in the outpatient consultation building, and the schedule will be adjusted to demand.
You may also like
