AI transforming how doctors manage juvenile arthritis treatment in the UAE

Living with juvenile arthritis is no easy feat, especially in the sweltering heat of the UAE. For young patients like Ysabella Amara, a 16-year-old battling severe juvenile arthritis triggered by sunlight, the challenges go beyond just managing typical teenage life. With her condition limiting her ability to engage in everyday activities, Ysabella's story sheds light on the physical and emotional toll of autoimmune diseases. But amidst these challenges, new artificial intelligence (AI) developments offer hope.

Doctors in the UAE are harnessing AI to accelerate treatment approvals, cutting through bureaucratic delays to get young patients the care they need faster.

How does it work?

Traditionally, patients like Ysabella had to endure long waiting periods for insurance approval for expensive medications, often delaying their much-needed treatment. The new AI system is designed to simplify this process by analyzing patient data, predicting the success of proposed medications, and identifying the most cost-effective options. This system significantly reduces the time it takes for insurers to authorize treatments, providing a crucial advantage for patients.

Dr. Humeira Badsha, a founding member of the Middle East Arthritis Foundation, explained how this innovative AI tool helps doctors expedite the insurance process. "The artificial intelligence can eliminate waste, fraud, and give patients the treatment they need quickly," she said.

By doing so, AI speeds up the approval process while ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently, ultimately controlling costs and eliminating unnecessary delays.

Why does it matter?

The impact of AI on the treatment of juvenile arthritis cannot be overstated. For patients like Ysabella and Emma O'Brien, another teenager battling arthritis in Dubai, delays in receiving medication can mean prolonged suffering and worsening symptoms. Juvenile arthritis is not just a condition associated with old age — it is also an autoimmune disease that affects young people — leading to crippling pain, inflammation, and in some cases, vision loss.

As Emma noted, "People can see arthritis as a hindrance, but it's brought new opportunities for me."

The introduction of AI in the treatment process offers young patients like her a chance to live a fuller life, free from the stress and uncertainty of whether their treatment will be approved in time. With AI, doctors can respond more quickly to their needs, improving physical health and quality of life.

The context

Juvenile arthritis affects a small percentage of the population, with estimates ranging from two to five out of every 100,000 teenagers in the UAE. Conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which Ysabella suffers from, are even more rare but incredibly debilitating. For many of these patients, the high cost of treatment — monthly injections ranging from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000 — places an added burden on families. Insurance companies often scrutinize these expensive treatments, leading to delays that can worsen symptoms.

This is where AI comes in as a game-changer. By streamlining the insurance approval process, AI reduces the time it takes for patients to access essential medication.

As Dr. Badsha pointed out, "On average, our study showed insurance companies come back with three queries for pre-authorization for arthritis."

With AI, doctors can now preemptively address these queries, offering a faster, more efficient route to treatment.