Rheumatology Specialized Programs

Provider: Arezou Khosroshahi, MD

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibro-inflammatory condition which can involve potentially any organ system either one at a time or several at once. The disease usually manifests itself as a mass in the affected area and can be mistakenly diagnosed as cancer. It is crucial to distinguish IgG4-RD from cancer and avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. The most common areas affected by this disease are pancreas, salivary and lacrimal glands, orbital tissue, bile ducts, lungs, kidneys, retroperitoneal tissue and lymph nodes. IgG4-RD connects a variety of disorders once viewed as separate conditions like autoimmune pancreatitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, sclerosing sialadenitis and etc. Patients with IgG4-RD respond to medical treatment well if recognized and treated appropriately.

Provider: Jonathan Waltuck, MD

The last few years have seen the introduction and expansion of use of a new type of cancer treatment known as immunotherapy. It is an attempt to use the body’s own immune system to fight off cancer cells. It has dramatically improved the prognosis of many people with advanced cancers. Unfortunately, the therapy is associated with a number of side effects which can be quite severe or even life threatening. Many of these effects fall into the area of expertise of rheumatologists. For the last several years, Dr. Waltuck has taken the lead in managing these patients at Emory and thus has obtained significant knowledge and experience in this field.

Providers: Prateek Gandiga MD, FACP and Suzana John, MBBS

The term “myositis” is used to describe diseases which cause chronic inflammation of the muscles. These conditions are also known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Inflammatory myopathies are rare autoimmune diseases. The Emory Myositis Clinic aims to excel in the compassionate, comprehensive care of patients with myositis through an exceptional diagnostic and treatment center. The clinic addresses the needs of myositis patients through a coordinated program integrating specialists from many disciplines, including rheumatology, neurology, pulmonology, and dermatology. It serves as a resource for patients, their families, and other healthcare providers in order to promote education and awareness about myositis.

Providers: Frehiywot Ayele, MD

Emory University is recognized by the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases (WASOG) and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) as a sarcoidosis clinic. Sarcoidosis is a complex systemic inflammatory disorder which leads to the accumulation of groups of inflammatory cells called granulomas within human tissue. Granulomas can interfere with the structure and function of affected organs. Sarcoidosis most commonly affects the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, and/or eyes, but any organ can be involved. 

The Emory Sarcoidosis Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with sarcoidosis. At the Emory Sarcoidosis Clinic, we offer:

1. Evaluation of patients suspected of having sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases, and evaluation of patients who are seeking a second opinion regarding a prior diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

2. Cutting-edge diagnostic testing including bronchoscopy and advanced imaging for the evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis and neurosarcoidosis.

3. Treatment of patients in an integrated interdisciplinary manner. Our team works closely with other specialties including pulmonology, neurology, ophthalmology, and dermatology to provide you with the most comprehensive care.

Providers: Katina Tsagaris, DO and Jennifer Brandt, MD

The Emory Rheumatology Scleroderma clinic offers comprehensive care for scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) and related conditions. The directors of the clinic, Dr. Katina Tsagaris and Dr. Jennifer Brandt, offer compassionate care to patients with this disease and are assistant professors in the Division of Rheumatology. Our team includes rheumatologists and pulmonologists with a particular interest in interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. Together with the pulmonary clinic, we have enrolled patients in clinic studies for autoimmune lung disease. We also work closely with our colleagues in dermatology, nephrology, and gastroenterology to offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. We provide local educational seminars for our patients involved with the Georgia Scleroderma Foundation.

Providers: Forrest Powers, MD

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the tears and salivary glands. This can lead to prominent dry eyes and dry mouth, among other symptoms such as joint swelling, shortness of breath, and rash. The Emory Sjogren’s clinic specializes in diagnosis and treatment of Sjogren’s. We work with ENT and ophthalmology colleagues to provide care for patients, in addition to other specialists, including pulmonologists and neurologists.

Sjogren’s clinic services include:

1. Evaluation and Diagnosis
2. State-of-the-art treatment following well-established standards of care
3. On-site and home-based infusion services
4. Second opinion related to diagnosis and/or treatment

Providers: Ignacio Sanz, MD, Arezou Khosroshahi, MD, and Sung Lim, MD

The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) clinic provides the full range of services for patients with diagnosed or possible Lupus. Staffed by nationally and internationally recognized experts, our goal is to provide excellent clinical care to patients while trying to understand the causes of this condition and better treatments.

Lupus clinic services include:

1) Evaluation and Diagnosis

2) State-of-the-art treatment following well-established standards of care

3) On site and home-based infusion services

4) Participation in clinical trials of new therapies

5) Second opinion related to diagnosis and/or treatment

Our program is highly interactive with basic and clinical scientists from the Division of Rheumatology, Lowance Center for Human Immunology and other departments and centers at Emory University. It also plays leading roles in the NIH-funded Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence. As a result, we offer multiple opportunities to participate in highly selected clinical trials and other Lupus studies.

Provider: Athanasios Tiliakos, DO

The Emory Vasculitis Clinic provides the full range of services for patients with a diagnosed or suspected Vasculitis condition.

Our Vasculitis Clinic services include:

1) Evaluation and Diagnosis

2) State-of-the-art treatment following well-established standards of care

3) On site and home-based infusion services

4) Participation in clinical trials of new therapies

5) Second opinion related to diagnosis and/or treatment

Our program is highly interactive with basic and clinical scientists from the Division of Rheumatology, Lowance Center for Human Immunology and other departments and centers at Emory University.