AIIMS Bhopal doctor receives National research grant:Achieves feat for study on Rheumatoid Arthritis; ‘Metabolomic Profiling’ to predict drug response

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal has achieved another breakthrough in medical innovation, the hospital authorities reported on Wednesday. Soon, the doctors will be able to determine in advance which rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients will benefit from specific drugs and which will not. The research, initiated by the Department of General Medicine at the institute, could significantly change conventional treatment approaches for this chronic disease. National research grant awarded The study, according to the hospital authorities, is being led by Dr Sunil Patidar, Senior Resident doctor in the Department of General Medicine, who has received a national research grant of Rs 2 lakh from the Indian Rheumatology Association. The project is being conducted under the guidance of Professor Vaibhav Kumar Ingle. Predicting Methotrexate effectiveness before treatment Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disorder that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints. The primary drug used for its treatment is Methotrexate, but it does not produce the same results in all patients. Until now, predicting which patient would respond effectively to the medication has been difficult. The ongoing study aims to change this. ‘Metabolomic Profiling’: A new revolution in Rheumatology The research team is employing metabolomic profiling, a cutting-edge technology that analyses the microscopic chemical components (metabolites) present in a patient’s body. By studying these biochemical markers, doctors will be able to predict the body’s response to drugs like Methotrexate before starting the treatment. Step towards personalised, patient-centred care The hospital authorities said that the study marks a major step towards personalised medicine, where treatment is customised according to an individual’s unique biological and chemical profile. Such an approach could not only improve treatment success rates but also reduce the side effects of medications. Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own joints. It primarily affects the hands, wrists, knees, and feet, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Common symptoms include morning joint stiffness, fatigue, weakness, and mild fever.