Consultant Profile

Dr Denise De Lord MB BS

Practising at: Margate

Specialties: Rheumatology, Lupus (SLE), Vasculitis, Aggressive early treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Musculoskeletal ultrasound in the diagnosis of early inflammatory arthritis, Systemic Sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Soft tissue and back pain

Special clinical interests: General Rheumatology Early Arthritis Lupus (SLE) Vasculitis Osteoporosis Systemic Sclerosis

Research interests: Early Arthritis The use of Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool in Rheumatology

Current NHS and /or university posts: Consultant Rheumatologist & General Physician Lead Clinician for Rheumatology

Year of first medical qualification and medical school attended: 1990

Current membership(s) of professional, national and regional bodies: Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP)
British Society of Rheumatology
Kent & Medway Biologics Network
British Medical Association
Medical Defence Union

Background Information

Dr De Lord was awarded an Arthritis Rheumatism Council Fellowship in 1996 for a 3 year programme of research with Professor Costantino Pitzalis & Professor Gabriel Panayi, at Guy’s Hospital London, investigating the role of adhesion molecules and selective lymphocyte homing between the gut and the joint in inflammatory arthritis. She presented this work at the BSR conference, winning an award for best oral research presentation for ARC-funded work in 1997. Following her research fellowship, she completed her postgraduate training in Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine in South London and Kent (London deanery).

Dr De Lord has been a consultant at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust since 2002 and Lead Clinician for the Department of Rheumatology since 2009. Her achievements include the co-ordination of the trust-wide development of an early arthritis service and the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound for the early detection of active inflammation in arthritis. Dr De Lord is qualified to perform diagnostic ultrasonography of the hands, wrists and feet for the detection of inflammatory arthritis (CASE accredited). She is currently involved in MSK ultrasound training and accreditation for Specialist Registrars and allied healthcare professionals.

Having a special interest in vasculitis & lupus, Dr De Lord has developed a local service, ensuring that patients can be seen locally and treated urgently. Her NHS Practice is based at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate. She also practices at the Victoria Hospital, Deal.

Her areas of special interest are lupus & vasculitis, and early inflammatory arthritis.