About DIRA
Understand the problem. Find the cause. Treat what matters.
DIRA stands for Deshpande Immunology & Rheumatology Advanced Clinic — a specialist centre providing evaluation and care both for established diseases and for conditions where an immune or inflammatory disorder is only suspected.
What DIRA is
Care brought together in one place
DIRA was created around a simple observation: patients with rheumatological and immune-related problems often need more than a consultation.
They may need careful diagnostic evaluation, laboratory support, medicines, physiotherapy, pain management, rehabilitation, pharmacy support, follow-up and — when required — coordination with other medical specialists.
A patient may arrive with established rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis or another autoimmune disease. Another may arrive with nothing more than persistent unexplained joint pain and a blood test nobody has been able to explain.
Not every such patient has an autoimmune disease. That is why careful clinical assessment comes first.
Philosophy
Medicine should reduce the burden of disease — not add to it
Rheumatological and immune-mediated diseases can affect much more than joints. They can affect movement, work, sleep, energy, skin, muscles, lungs, kidneys, nerves, blood, bones and everyday life.
Our aim is to help patients
Understand their condition
Control disease activity
Prevent avoidable damage
Manage pain and other symptoms
Maintain mobility and independence
Reduce treatment-related difficulties
And return to a life that is not defined by their disease
For many chronic diseases, a cure may not always be realistic. But better disease control, better function and a better quality of life are often achievable goals.
The difference
How we work
- We don’t begin with the assumption.
- We begin with the patient.
- We don’t believe every abnormal test needs treatment.
- We interpret investigations in the clinical context.
- We don’t define success only by laboratory numbers.
- We look at function and quality of life too.
- We don’t want chronic disease to become the patient’s identity.
- We want patients to live beyond their disease.
Our approach
Six steps, in order
- Step 01
Listen
Understand the symptoms, concerns, expectations and previous medical journey.
- Step 02
Assess
Review history, examination findings and previous investigations carefully.
- Step 03
Clarify
Determine whether the symptoms fit an autoimmune, inflammatory, allergic, mechanical or another medical condition.
- Step 04
Treat
Use evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment appropriate to the diagnosis.
- Step 05
Monitor
Track disease activity, treatment response, safety and long-term risks.
- Step 06
Rebuild
Focus on mobility, function, confidence, independence and quality of life.