Laboratory Network Rheumatology: DGRh and DRFZ launch joint quality initiative in autoimmune diagnostics
Collaboration for harmonized standards, improved networking, and continuing education in rheumatological laboratory diagnostics
At the 2025 German Rheumatology Congress in Wiesbaden, the German Society for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (DGRh) and the German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, signed an agreement on future cooperation in the Laboratory Network Rheumatology (LNR). The aim of the network is to improve quality and comparability in autoimmune diagnostics, harmonize testing procedures, and develop uniform standards for the diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.
Another focus is on strengthening continuing education in laboratory diagnostics and networking university centers with particular expertise in autoimmune diagnostics. The program will start in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Erlangen, Freiburg, Hanover, Kirchheim/Stuttgart, and Munich. Conceptually, the DGRh is also involved through its Laboratory Diagnostics Commission, headed by Prof. Thomas Dörner, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and DRFZ.
The project coordination office is located at the DRFZ in Berlin and will be headed by Dr. Philipp Dittert in the future. In the long term, the laboratory network aims to combine rheumatism research, diagnostics, and continuing education at a high level of quality—for standardized and improved patient care.
Photo: Contract was signed on September 25, 2025, at the DGRh Congress in Wiesbaden.
From left, counterclockwise: Uta Bielfeldt ( Administrative Director of the DRFZ); Anna Voormann (General Secretary of the DGRh); Prof. Dr. Eicke Latz (Scientific Director of the DRFZ); Prof. Dr. Ulf Wagner (President of the DGRh)
