Rheumatic Diseases in Lebanon

Lebanon is one of the Arab countries historically known for its multiple regional referral hospital centers. With several principal investigators leading international randomized clinical trials, several Lebanese researchers have been devoted to advancing the quality of practice in the Arab world, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life. Rheumatology is not a stranger to these descriptions. Since the 1950s, the number of rheumatology providers has been substantially increasing. The Lebanese Society of Rheumatology was established in 1961 to attract ideas and organize collaborations. The prevalence of rare autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases, such as Behcet’s disease and familial Mediterranean fever, partly shapes Lebanon’s research and clinical practice. Despite having no dedicated basic science autoimmune facilities, many groups work on the genetic and immunological aspects of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. From a clinical research perspective, Lebanese rheumatologists collaborate on regional and international projects. Regarding clinical practice, the availability of serological and imaging facilities is an asset for rheumatologists. One of the significant challenges is the cost of novel antirheumatic therapies, such as biological agents. While national and private services try to aid dependent patients, the burden is still significant. Future challenges lie in attracting more expertise, making research funding available to investigators, and establishing dedicated centers of excellence, which frequently incorporate patient-reported outcomes.