UAE experts call for improved quality of life in immune disease care

Healthcare experts in the UAE have emphasised the need to move beyond symptom management in treating chronic immune-mediated diseases, calling for greater focus on reducing the overall burden of illness and improving patients’ quality of life.

The discussions took place during a scientific gathering in Dubai, as Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly Gulf) marked 10 years in immunology in the UAE. The event brought together regional healthcare specialists to review scientific advances and persistent unmet needs across rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology.

Experts discussed conditions including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, dermatitis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, highlighting how their effects extend beyond clinical symptoms to disrupt sleep, mobility, employment, education, relationships and daily activities.

Dr. Muna Almurrawi, Consultant Dermatology, highlighted the often-overlooked burden of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, noting that visible symptoms tell only part of the story. Persistent itching, sleepless nights, pain and diminished confidence can significantly affect patients’ personal and professional lives. She stressed that addressing unmet needs requires looking beyond skin lesions to the broader consequences of living with chronic disease.

Dr. Cecilio Azar, Consultant Gastroenterologist, explained that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can lead to missed work, disrupted education, cancelled travel and social isolation. He emphasised the importance of innovations that enable deeper, more sustained disease control, helping patients regain stability and greater predictability in their daily lives.

Prof. Khalid Alnaqbi, Consultant Rheumatologist, highlighted the impact of axial spondyloarthritis on patients’ physical and emotional well-being.

He said: “Our research among Arabic-speaking patients with rheumatic diseases highlights that patients value outcomes beyond traditional clinical measures, including pain relief, better sleep and mood, greater physical activity and less fatigue.”

He added that Gulf consensus recommendations emphasise shared decision-making, improved physical function and quality of life through pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, with the aim of preserving patients’ independence.

Shady Ibrahim, Medical Director at Lilly Gulf (UAE, Kuwait and Qatar), said: “Ten years gives us an important opportunity to recognize how far immunology has progressed — but the more important question is what we do next.”

He added: “For people living with chronic immune-mediated diseases, innovation has meaning when it changes their experience of disease: when it gives them greater confidence, greater freedom and the possibility of living with fewer limitations.”

Ibrahim reaffirmed Lilly’s commitment to advancing scientific research, listening to patients and clinicians, and collaborating with the healthcare community to address persistent unmet needs.

As the UAE continues prioritising healthcare innovation, research, personalised treatment and chronic disease management, Lilly aims to strengthen scientific collaboration and translate advances into meaningful improvements in patients’ everyday lives.