WELCOME LETTER

Dear colleagues,

It's a great pleasure to invite you in the 1st International Skills Meeting in Spondyloarthritis (ISM) that is co-organised by the Hellenic Foundation for Rheumatology and Rheumazentrum Rhein Ruhr e.V.

The ISM, will take place for the first time in Athens, from 30th of January until the 1st of February 2026. 

Over the last years, the recognition of spondyloarthritis (SpA) has risen, partly due to the emerging imaging techniques, but also to the raised awareness among clinicians and other healthcare professionals in rheumatology and beyond.

The better understanding of SpA has led to better outcomes for our patients, making the life with their diagnosis easier. There are, though, many challenges in the field, including the better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms, the accurate diagnosis (requiring also skills for imaging interpretation), the management of co-morbidities and the planning and application of the therapeutic strategies.

In these 2 days intense meeting, world-known experts in the field will present the most updated data for the above-mentioned aspects in small working groups, so that the participants will have the time to discuss and interact with the speakers/trainers.

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Athens!