Women Health In Rheumatology Association - WHIRA

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Women Health In Rheumatology Association - WHIRA WHIRA, the Women Health in Rheumatology Association, is not merely an association.

Mission and Focus:
● Mission: Knowledge, Wellness, Advocacy – WHIRA aims to empower women with rheumatic diseases through education, holistic well-being practices, and advocacy efforts.
● Focus: Women's Health Related Issues in Rheumatic Diseases It is a transformative movement dedicated to addressing and advancing women's health issues in the context of rheumatic diseases. Founded on the principles of inclusivity and empowerment, and with a focus on providing a platform predominantly for women, by women, and of women, WHIRA aims to make a tangible difference in the realm of rheumatological healthcare. Mission and Focus:
● Mission: Knowledge, Wellness, Advocacy – WHIRA aims to empower women with rheumatic diseases through education, holistic well-being practices, and advocacy efforts.
● Focus: Women's Health Related Issues in Rheumatic Diseases

A proud moment for WHIRA! 10 abstracts submitted by our members have been accepted for presentation at the prestigious A...
05/09/2026

A proud moment for WHIRA! 10 abstracts submitted by our members have been accepted for presentation at the prestigious American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2026 in Orlando, Florida, USA (November 6–11, 2026).

Huge congratulations to our dedicated researchers and clinicians for taking Indian rheumatology research to the global stage:

Dr. Kavita Krishna
- Osteoporosis in Indian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Multicenter Study
- Clinical Global Assessment and Psychiatric Morbidity with Effects on Disease Activity
- Breaking the Stereotype: Distinct Clinical and Comorbidity Profiles of Female Patients With Gout
- Case Selection: ACR Thieves Market

Dr. Varsha Bhatt
- Mind Matters: Prevalence, Determinants and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings
- ⁠Empowering Rheumatology Nursing Education in India: Validation of Modified RAKE tool (m-RAKE) to Assess Knowledge of Rheumatoid Arthritis Among Nursing Professionals
- Assessment of Knowledge of Rheumatoid Arthritis among Nursing Professionals in an Urban Teaching Hospital Using the Rheumatoid Arthritis Knowledge Assessment Scale (RAKAS)

Dr. Nikita Shetty
- Incidence and Predictors of Infection Following Rituximab Therapy in Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
- Agreement Between Fluorescence Intensity and Endpoint Dilution Titer of Antinuclear Antibodies

Dr. Vaibhav Bellary
- Persistence and Predictors of Outcome in Epidemic Post-Viral Arthritis: A Prospective Study

On 30th August, 2026, at MRACON2026, Mumbai, Dr. Kavita Krishna took over as The President of Maharshtra Rheumatology As...
03/09/2026

On 30th August, 2026, at MRACON2026, Mumbai, Dr. Kavita Krishna took over as The President of Maharshtra Rheumatology Association. This is a wonderful recognition of her dedication, leadership, and contribution to the medical Fraternity. It is a proud moment for all of us. Warm wishes for her leadership journey and a successful, impactful tenure ahead with a great National Conference as the Organizing Chair - IRACON 2026 - 3rd-6th December, at Pune, and many more milestones to come.

Dr. Varsha Bhatt and Dr. Vaijayanti Lagu Joshi got elected and joined as an Executive Board Member.

WHIRA members shine on multiple platforms

🎓 WHIRA Rheuma Classes | Repeat Kidney Biopsy in Lupus NephritisWHIRA was privileged to host an outstanding academic ses...
03/09/2026

🎓 WHIRA Rheuma Classes | Repeat Kidney Biopsy in Lupus Nephritis
WHIRA was privileged to host an outstanding academic session by Dr. Ioannis Parodis (MD, PhD), Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Karolinska Institutet & Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden, on Saturday, 11th July 2026.

The session explored the evolving role of repeat kidney biopsy in lupus nephritis, highlighting its value in guiding treatment decisions, defining deep remission, preventing overtreatment, and paving the way toward tissue-based precision medicine. Dr. Parodis also shared exciting advances in urinary proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, and emerging biomarkers that may shape the future of lupus nephritis management.

The session was expertly moderated by Dr. Kavita Krishna, Dr. Vaijayanti Lagu Joshi, Dr. Varsha Bhatt, and Dr. Sandeep Kansurkar, whose insightful discussions enriched the learning experience.

The highly interactive question-and-answer session reflected the enthusiasm of participants, with engaging discussions that made the program valuable for students and faculty alike.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Ioannis Parodis for sharing his expertise and to everyone who joined us for another memorable edition of WHIRA Rheuma Classes.

🎓 Continuing academic initiative of WHIRA Rheuma Classes | Disease Activity Assessment & Tools in SLEAn insightful and h...
20/06/2026

🎓 Continuing academic initiative of WHIRA Rheuma Classes | Disease Activity Assessment & Tools in SLE

An insightful and highly interactive academic session by Dr. Ranjan Gupta (Additional Professor, Department of Rheumatology, AIIMS New Delhi) moderated by Dr. Kavita Krishna and Dr. Varsha Bhatt took over 3900 participants through the evolving landscape of disease activity assessment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

The session highlighted:

🔹 The crucial distinction between disease activity and irreversible damage, and why differentiating the two is fundamental to patient care.

🔹 Why standardized disease activity assessment is essential for clinical decision-making, prognostication, treat-to-target strategies, and research.

🔹 A comprehensive overview of commonly used indices, including SLEDAI-2K, SELENA-SLEDAI, BILAG-2004, ECLAM, SLAM-R, LAI, and SLE-DAS, with their strengths, limitations, and ideal clinical applications.

🔹 Special considerations for disease activity assessment during pregnancy, emphasizing appropriate interpretation of clinical and laboratory findings.

The session concluded with a comparative approach to selecting the most appropriate assessment tool based on clinical context, reinforcing that accurate disease activity measurement is central to optimizing outcomes in lupus.

A sincere thank you to Dr. Ranjan Gupta for sharing his expertise and making complex assessment tools practical and clinically relevant for rheumatology trainees and practicing clinicians.

Lupus Connect 2.0 | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | 16–17 May 💜Organised by IRIS and WHIRA, Lupus Connect 2.0 brought toget...
24/05/2026

Lupus Connect 2.0 | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | 16–17 May 💜

Organised by IRIS and WHIRA, Lupus Connect 2.0 brought together clinicians, researchers, and trainees from across the country for two enriching days of discussion, collaboration, and advancing the future of lupus care and research in India.

Centered around the themes of Neuropsychiatric SLE and Precision Medicine, the conference highlighted the complexities of lupus heterogeneity, the challenges in defining and understanding NPSLE, and the urgent need for stronger pathophysiology-driven research in India.

We are proud to share the contributions and achievements from our team:
✨ Dr. Kavita Krishna delivered the inaugural address, hosted a panel discussion on Precision Medicine in Lupus, and served as Organizing Co-Chair of the conference.
✨ Dr. Varsha Bhatt delivered an insightful Indian perspective on Mental Health Burden in Lupus, emphasizing the importance of holistic lupus care and the urgent need for more collaborative research.
✨ Three abstracts from our team were accepted at the conference. Dr. Nikita Shetty, Rheumatology resident, won first prize for Oral Paper Presentation and Dr. Shyam Yadav won first prize for Poster Presentation.

A major takeaway from the meeting was the importance of long-term Indian cohorts, international collaborations, and interdisciplinary dialogue — all essential steps toward achieving truly personalized lupus care. It was especially encouraging to witness the growing body of ongoing Indian research in NPSLE and the enthusiasm for collaborative work across specialties. Together, we continue building stronger lupus research and care networks across India.

Spreading Wings and Sharing Hope — Our Lupus Awareness Week 💜As part of World Lupus Day, WHIRA organised a patient aware...
21/05/2026

Spreading Wings and Sharing Hope — Our Lupus Awareness Week 💜

As part of World Lupus Day, WHIRA organised a patient awareness programme focused on education, support, and shared experiences for individuals living with lupus and their caregivers.

Patients shared their personal journeys with the disease, fostering meaningful conversations on resilience, coping, and the importance of community support.

“Creativity Meets Courage” ✨💜🏆
Patients and caregivers also took part in a butterfly colouring activity symbolising hope, transformation, and strength, with sweet surprises for the winners. 🦋🍫

To highlight the importance of photoprotection in lupus care, all participants were provided with a sun-safety kit containing sunscreen and a hat, reinforcing simple yet effective preventive measures against skin flares.

Through awareness initiatives such as these, we continue to encourage understanding, empowerment, and holistic care for individuals living with lupus.

This World Spondyloarthritis Day, WHIRA brought patients, doctors, and physiotherapists together for a meaningful awaren...
05/05/2026

This World Spondyloarthritis Day, WHIRA brought patients, doctors, and physiotherapists together for a meaningful awareness programme centered on living better with Spondyloarthritis.

Through interactive sessions, Physiotherapy faculty and students demonstrated practical chair-based exercises that patients can easily incorporate into their daily routines. Handouts were shared to help continue this journey at home — because consistency matters.

Dr. Kavita Krishna and Dr. Varsha Bhatt also spoke about Spondyloarthritis, helping patients better understand their condition and what to expect over time.

With patient kits, warm conversations, and tea shared together, the day was a reminder that care goes beyond clinics — it’s about community, education, and empowerment.

The Women Health in Rheumatology Association (WHIRA) is proud to be associated with IRIS Lupus Connect 2.0 — a dynamic C...
20/04/2026

The Women Health in Rheumatology Association (WHIRA) is proud to be associated with IRIS Lupus Connect 2.0 — a dynamic CME bringing together leading national and international experts to explore evolving frontiers in precision medicine and neuropsychiatric lupus.

📍 O by Tamara, Thiruvananthapuram
📅 16–17 May 2026

From cutting-edge science to real-world clinical insights, this meeting promises meaningful dialogue and impactful learning in lupus care.

We are excited to announce “Lupus Knowledge Refresher’ Quiz in Lupus Connect 2.0. The quiz will mainly consist of Lupus ...
11/04/2026

We are excited to announce “Lupus Knowledge Refresher’ Quiz in Lupus Connect 2.0. The quiz will mainly consist of Lupus related topics. It is a great chance to participate and gauge the depth of our understanding in this mysterious entity. The quiz is open for both trainees and consultants.

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