Rheumatic Diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Millions of people throughout the world suffer from rheumatic illnesses and are affected by a wide range of inflammatory, autoimmune, and degenerative conditions. A significant global disparity between the frequency of rheumatic diseases and the availability of board-certified, highly qualified rheumatologists has been well-documented in research. Rheumatologists are in short supply in a number of nations, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The spectrum of rheumatic illnesses described in KSA appears to be similar to that seen in the West, albeit with some notable differences. Regarding the epidemiology of various rheumatic diseases reported, there are currently around 400 adult rheumatologists and around 80 pediatric rheumatologists (consultants, specialists, and fellows) working in different hospitals across KSA. The number of seats in rheumatology training programs in KSA is made public each year, as there is a shortage of rheumatologists, and there is no center for rheumatology research and development. Saudi rheumatology fellow trainees who enroll in the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties rheumatology programs go through a rigorous, 2-year, full-time training program during which they actively participate in patient care, with the scope of their responsibilities expanding as they gain more knowledge and experience. Specified research tasks must be finished within 2 years, and each fellow must also publish at least one peer-reviewed scientific paper. Researchers can share their research findings with the world’s scientific community, meet their civic obligations, and advance their academic careers. To further strengthen rheumatology training and address the workforce shortage, scholarship programs can also play an important role.