Rheumatology
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Division of Rheumatology

Rese​​arch

Research forms an essential part of both our postgraduate courses. The division's research remains patient focused, whilst access to a spectrum of specialized diagnostic and therapeutic options create the opportunity for novel research. We support and supervise research for MMed, MPhil as well as PhD studies. Through working closely with cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, radiology, nuclear medicine and also our basic science laboratory through the Stellenbosch University Research In Auto-immunity (SUNRAI) group we continue to create new opportunities for local and also international research collaborations. The direct involvement of our consultants in the South African Rheumatism and Arthritis Association (SARAA) as well as the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR) also provide opportunities for  involvement in National guidelines and further collaboration and national and international level. The division also supports undergraduate research, assisting interested students to develop skills and experience in the field of medical research.


All publications 2020 – ​2024

  1. du Toit R, Herbst PG, Ackerman C, Pecoraro AJ, du Toit RH, Hassan K, et al. Myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus according to cardiac magnetic resonance tissue characterization: clinical and echocardiographic features. Lupus. 2020 Jul 6;096120332093674.
  2. Ntshalintshali SD, Mhlana N, Moosajee F, Abousriwiel R, George K, du Toit R. A massive pericardial effusion in South Africa is not always due to tuberculosis. SA Heart 2020;17:204-7.
  3. Allwood BW, Koegelenberg CF, Irusen E, Lalla U, Davids R, Chothia Y, du Toit R, Nyasuslu P, et al. Clinical evolution, management and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa: a research protocol. BMJ Open. 2020 Aug;10(8):e039455.
  4. Rood JW, du Toit R. A retrospective review of the adverse effects of biological therapy and reasons for its discontinuation in a resource- limited setting. SAMJ. 2020;110(12):7.
  5. Ntshalinthsali SD, Coetzee A, Moosajee F, Abousriwiel R, Conradi M, du Toit R. A dual diagnosis of tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.   African journal of rheumatology.  2021 Jan; 9(1):51-55.
  6. du Toit R, Herbst PG, Ackerman C, Pecoraro AJ, Claassen D, Cyster HP, Reuter H, Doubell AF. Outcome of clinical and subclinical myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus–A prospective cohort study. Lupus. 2021 Feb;30(2):256-68.
  7. du Toit R, Reuter H, Walzl G, Snyders C, Chegou NN, Herbst PG, Doubell AF. Serum cytokine levels associated with myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology. 2021 Apr;60(4):2010-21.
  8. Ntshalintshali SD, Geldenhuys EM, Moosajee F, Musa WA, du Plessis L, Viljoen A, Fortuin D, du Toit R. Access to chloroquine in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases attending rheumatology outpatient clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. S Afr Med J. 2021 Jun 8.
  9. Ntshalintshali S, Zwane T, du Toit R. Telerheumatology in the era of COVID-19 in South Africa. S Afr Med J. Published online 8 June 2021. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i8.15810
  10. El Miedany Y, Paruk F, Kalla A, Adebajo A, El Gaafary M, El Maghraoui A, Ngandeu M, Dey D, Gadallah N, Elwy M, Moosajee F. Consensus evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treat-to-target management of osteoporosis in Africa: an initiative by the African Society of Bone Health and Metabolic Bone Diseases. Archives of Osteoporosis. 2021 Dec;16(1):176.
  11. Dey D, Paruk F, Mody GM, Kalla A, Adebajo A, Akpabio AA, Abu-Zaid MH, Du Toit R, Ngandeu-Singwe M, Courage U, Koussougbo OD. Gender distribution of rheumatologists across Africa (REACT): a cross-sectional survey study. The Lancet Rheumatology. 2022 Sep 1;4:S19.
  12. Heckert S, Maarseveen T, Marges E, Chopra A, Vega Morales D, Du Toit R, van der Helm-van Mil A, Huizinga T, Allaart CF, Anne Bergstra S. Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Across Continents. Arthritis & Rheumatology 2022 Sep 1 (Vol. 74, pp. 487-489). 111.
  13. Dey D, Paruk F, Mody GM, Kalla AA, Adebajo A, Akpabio A, Abu-Zaid MH, du Toit R, Ngandeu-Singwe M, Courage UU, Koussougbo OD. Women in rheumatology in Africa. The Lancet Rheumatology. 2022 Oct 1;4(10):e657-60.
  14. Rashid AG, Manie M, Moosajee FE. An analysis of South African patients with rheumatoid arthritis with reference to methotrexate therapy retention. African Journal of Rheumatology. 2022 Aug 17;10(2):59-69.
  15. Du Toit R, Karamchand S, Doubell AF, Reuter H, Herbst PG. Lupus myocarditis: review of current diagnostic modalities and their application in clinical practice. Rheumatology. 2023 Feb 1;62(2):523-34.
  16. Ntshalintshali S, Du Toit R, Moosajee F, et al. Avascular necrosis in a cohort of sle patients in an African context. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2023;82:1540-1541.
  17. Heckert SL, Maarseveen T, Marges ER, Chopra A, Vega-Morales D, Du Toit R, Winchow LL, Gutierrez CT, Knevel R, Van der Helm–van Mil A, Huizinga T. POS1052 Rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease across continents. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2023;82:844.
  18. Smith C, du Toit R, Ollewagen T. Potential of bone morphogenetic protein-7 in treatment of lupus nephritis: addressing the hurdles to implementation. Inflammopharmacology. 2023 Aug 25:1-2.
  19. R du Toit, S Karamchand, M Rajah, J Cilliers, P Herbst, A Doubell. P36 Lupus myocarditis: the role of cardiac MRI and endomyocardial biopsy as diagnostic parameters. Lupus Science & Medicine 11 (Suppl 1)
  20. C Smith, R du Toit, T Ollewagen. P98 Bone morphogenetic protein-7 as treatment in lupus nephritis: getting from bench to bedside. Lupus Science & Medicine 11 (Suppl 1)
  21. Bergstra SA, Mongin D, Dreyer L, et al. Global disparities in biosimilar uptake in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2024;83:817-818. ​

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