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The Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital laboratory develops an algorithm for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis

The new protocol includes an automatic antibody test for patients who have tested positive for rheumatoid factor
Early detection of the disease makes it possible to slow its evolution and improve the quality of life of patients.
The protocol has already been disseminated in prestigious international scientific journals

The Clinical Analysis Service of the Sant Joan d'Alacant University Hospital develops an algorithm for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis, which is giving good results and whose protocol has been published in prestigious international scientific journals.

In this sense, when the Primary Care doctor treats a patient and requests laboratory tests, this new system makes it possible to detect whether the patient has previously had a rheumatoid test with a positive factor; if so, an analysis is automatically included. of anti-CPP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies.

In addition, the system detects if this type of test has already been performed in the last twelve months, so it will not be repeated to avoid duplications, since the patient already has a diagnosis.

Thanks to this, it has been possible to reduce nearly 3,000 tests in a period of 22 months, while hidden cases have been detected. Likewise, great profitability has been achieved by reducing waiting times, unnecessary examinations and studies and has allowed patients with this pathology to be treated earlier.

The head of the Clinical Analysis Service, María Salinas, highlighted that “the objective has been to speed up the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and optimize the treatment of patients from Primary Care.”

On the other hand, Mauricio Mínguez, from the Rheumatology area of the Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital, has indicated that with this protocol “we have managed to detect a good number of hidden cases and apply disease-modifying treatments with which we have managed to stop its progression. improve the prognosis and preserve people's functionality.” Mínguez has also stressed that “it is very important to work on improving the continuity of care between primary and hospital care.”

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease in adults. In Spain it has a prevalence of 1% and it is estimated that around 500,000 people suffer from it. Its symptoms are joint pain and inflammation and it can also lead to inflammatory processes outside the joint and affect the blood vessels and organs such as the liver, heart or lungs. It mainly affects women and early detection helps slow its progression and improve the quality of life of patients.

Dissemination of the study

The research, titled 'Double positivity for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies: improving referral from primary care to patients suspected of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis', has been developed over a period of four years by the Clinical Analysis Service , in collaboration with the Primary Care health centers of the Alicante-Sant Joan d'Alacant Health Department and the Rheumatology Service of the hospital itself.

In addition to being implemented at the Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital, this early detection system is now available for use in laboratories around the world as it has been openly disseminated. Thus, for example, the National Library of Medicine of the United States Government already has the study referenced among its publications.

“The mission of our laboratory is to help in daily clinical practice and our greatest satisfaction is to have this and other procedures that we have developed copied to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients in many countries around the world,” concluded Salinas. Thus, the laboratory of the Sant Joan d'Alacant University Hospital is an international leader in decision support in daily clinical practice and has already developed more than one hundred algorithms.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Regional overview: steady pre-summer momentum

Across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, L’Alfàs del Pi (Albir), La Nucía and Finestrat, the region is entering a strong early-season phase with increasing visitor numbers, expanding nightlife, and a growing calendar of small cultural and leisure events ahead of the main summer period.

Markets, live music, coastal tourism and community events continue to dominate activity this week, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements such as new sustainability and mobility projects.

BENIDORM – Markets, nightlife and tourism growth

Weekly street markets in Benidorm remain a key attraction, including Wednesday and Sunday general markets offering food, clothing and local goods.

The Old Town continues to host craft stalls and informal street entertainment, while evening activity is increasing as the summer season approaches.

Live music is now a nightly feature across main entertainment zones, with tribute acts, DJs and bar performances contributing to strong visitor activity.

Tourism officials also note continued preparation for upcoming seasonal events, including the build-up toward traditional spring and early summer festivals.

ALTEA – Culture and coastal leisure

Altea continues to focus on cultural tourism and relaxation, with art galleries, artisan shops and small exhibitions operating throughout the Old Town.

Live acoustic performances and low-key entertainment are taking place across seafront bars, while boat excursions from Altea harbour are operating regular coastal and sunset sailing routes depending on weather conditions.

ALBIR / L’ALFÀS DEL PI – Community events and live music

L'Alfàs del Pi and the Albir area maintain a steady mix of expat and local activity.

Weekly Friday markets remain popular, while Irish pubs and live music venues continue to host regular bands and acoustic performances.

The Casa de Cultura is also hosting community exhibitions, theatre and social events throughout the week.

LA NUCÍA – Sports and weekend activity

La Nucia continues to centre around sports tourism, with its major sports complex hosting training camps and competitive events.

The Sunday rastro flea market remains a key attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.

FINESTRAT – Coastal leisure and markets

Finestrat is experiencing growing beachfront activity as beach bars and restaurants reopen for the warmer season.

Markets in La Cala continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering local produce and artisan goods, while sunset dining and relaxed evening entertainment are becoming more frequent.

VILLAJOYOSA – Culture, coastline and local life

Villajoyosa is experiencing steady early-season activity, supported by its historic old town, colourful seafront and growing cultural tourism offer.

Local markets and small artisan trading continue throughout the week, while the seafront promenade is seeing increased footfall as warmer weather returns.

The town also maintains its reputation for traditional fishing heritage, chocolate production history, and quiet beach tourism, offering a more relaxed contrast to nearby resort centres.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE – Benidorm EV expansion

Alongside tourism growth, Benidorm is also continuing its sustainability rollout, including new electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Levante area as part of its broader mobility and climate strategy.

The project forms part of EU-backed funding aimed at supporting low-emission transport across major Mediterranean destinations.

REGIONAL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest hub with nightlife, markets and entertainment growth
Altea: cultural, scenic and relaxed
Albir / L’Alfàs del Pi: balanced social and live music scene
La Nucía: sports-led and residential
Finestrat: beach-focused and seasonal lifestyle
Villajoyosa: coastal heritage, relaxed tourism and local culture

The Costa Blanca continues its gradual transition into peak tourist season, with activity levels rising steadily across all major towns.

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The Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital laboratory develops an algorithm for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

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