Rheumatologist in Latvia
where to get treatment, how to verify certification, what this doctor does
- Certification check: State register of medical practitioners (opens in a new window)
- Professional body: Latvian Society of Adult Rheumatology (opens in a new window)
- Noticed outdated info? Report it
A rheumatologist deals with back and joint pain, morning stiffness, swelling, and long-term pain that stops you working or sleeping. The doctor reviews previous test results and suggests the next step.
The consultation happens over video, so it works the same in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Ventspils and Rēzekne.
No verified doctor in this specialty yet
We check every certificate by hand, so the list grows step by step. Choose another specialty or start with a family doctor.
Other rheumatologists in Latvia
These doctors have not confirmed their profile yet, so they cannot be booked for now.
- Sarmīte Ābelīte
- Daina Andersone
- Ineta Balčune
- Dace Bērziņa
- Ilva Bikanova
- Kristīna Budarina
Known rheumatologists in Latvia
- Aleksandra Bukina
- Alīna Agule
- Andrejs Ščegoļevs
- Anna Smagina
- Evija Stumbra-Stumberga
- Ilva Bikanova
- Ivars Veckalns
- Kristina Toločko
- Kristīne Ivanova
- Maksims Petrakovs
- Matīss Šablinskis
- Pauls Rubīns
This list is partial. It comes from our current doctor list and does not cover every rheumatologist practising in Latvia.
When to call 113 instead of booking
- A single joint that has rapidly become hot, red and very painful, with fever.
- High fever and marked weakness in a patient on immunosuppressive or biological therapy.
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain in a patient with systemic connective tissue disease.
- Rapidly progressing weakness in the arms or legs, or inability to raise an arm or stand up.
- Sudden loss of vision or severe temple pain in an older person.
- Coughing up blood, or blood in the urine, in a patient with vasculitis.
- A rapidly spreading rash with skin ulceration or necrosis.
- Confusion or seizures in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
What a rheumatologist treats
A rheumatologist treats rheumatic disease: joint disease, metabolic joint disease, and systemic connective tissue disease in which the immune system drives inflammation in connective tissue.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathies: reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
- Arthritis associated with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Gouty arthropathy
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, polymyositis
- Vasculitis and polymyalgia rheumatica
- Sicca syndrome, also known as Sjögren's syndrome
Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital states that a rheumatology consultation is needed for joint pain or swelling, spinal pain and morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, unexplained fever, unexplained raised inflammatory markers or changes in immunological markers, and unexplained skin rashes.
Subtypes
Rheumatology in Latvia has no separate sub-specialties. In practice some doctors work more with inflammatory joint disease and others with systemic connective tissue disease, while individual specialists perform joint ultrasound and injections. Paediatric rheumatology is a separate field with its own society.
Glossary
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- chronic joint inflammation that damages joint structure if untreated.
- Spondyloarthropathies
- a group of inflammatory spine and joint diseases that includes psoriatic arthritis.
- Systemic connective tissue disease
- disease in which the immune system inflames several organs, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Inflammatory markers
- blood tests such as ESR and CRP that show inflammation is present but not its cause.
- Immunological markers
- antibody tests used in diagnosing autoimmune disease.
- Capillaroscopy
- examination of the small vessels at the nail fold, used in diagnosing systemic connective tissue disease.
- Ultrasound-guided injection
- anti-inflammatory medication placed into a joint or tendon area under ultrasound guidance.
- Biological therapy
- modern immune-targeted treatment used when standard drugs are not enough.
How someone becomes a rheumatologist in Latvia
- Six years of medical study and a doctor's degree, at Rīga Stradiņš University (opens in a new window) or the University of Latvia.
- Residency in rheumatology. The RSU programme runs 5 years, 330 ECTS, tuition 5,800 EUR per year, led by Doc. Anna Mihailova. Programme page: RSU residency programme (opens in a new window).
- The programme combines taught courses, theory through problem lectures and seminars, research and teaching work, and duty shifts.
- The resident must learn to deliver emergency and planned rheumatology care independently in outpatient clinics, day hospital and inpatient settings.
- The state examination consists of a written theory test, analysis of a clinical case, and defence of a research project.
- The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points, at least 60 per cent tied to the base specialty, plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
- Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.
How to verify this doctor's certificate
- 1Open Health Inspectorate - register of medical practitioners (registri.vi.gov.lv) (opens in a new window).
- 2Enter the surname or practitioner identifier in the search box.
- 3Confirm the listed specialty reads "Reimatologs". Some doctors also hold internal medicine in the register.
- 4Check the certificate validity date. A permit or an adaptation period is not a certificate.
- 5If anything is unclear, see the register explanation page (opens in a new window).
Where this specialist practises, by city
Rīga
- Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (opens in a new window)
The hospital states it is the largest rheumatology centre in Latvia, offering consultations and, where needed, day hospital or inpatient treatment.
- Rīgas veselības centrs (opens in a new window)
offering both state-funded and private services, including paediatric rheumatology consultations.
- Premium Medical (opens in a new window)
which alongside consultations performs capillaroscopy and ultrasound-guided injections.
- Veselības centru apvienība (opens in a new window)
The provider states that rheumatology consultations there are available only as a private service, and that no referral is needed for a private service.
- Rīgas 1. slimnīca (opens in a new window)
Outside Rīga access to a rheumatologist is limited, so a state-funded consultation often means planning a trip to Rīga.
Choosing between doctors
- Languages. Consultations run in Latvian and Russian, with some doctors also working in English.
- State-funded or private. At some providers the rheumatologist works privately only, while others also offer state-funded consultations on referral. Worth checking before booking.
- Procedures on site. If capillaroscopy or an ultrasound-guided injection is planned, check whether the provider performs it.
- Continuity. Rheumatic disease is chronic and treatment is often adjusted in steps, so staying with one doctor has real value.
- Second opinion. Patients may freely choose the doctor and institution. With a valid referral, a state-funded consultation can be taken at any provider delivering that service from state funds.
What a visit looks like
- Bring all blood results, especially inflammatory and immunological markers, plus earlier X-ray, ultrasound or MRI reports.
- Notes on which joints hurt, how long morning stiffness lasts, and what eases or worsens symptoms are useful.
- Bring a full list of medicines, including painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
- At the visit the doctor reviews symptoms and history, examines joints and skin, and orders further tests or imaging as needed.
- Reaching a precise rheumatic diagnosis can take months, since symptoms and test changes appear at different stages of the disease, so repeat visits are common.
Cost
In the public system, with a referral, a specialist visit costs 4.00 EUR, an ultrasound 4.00 EUR, and day hospital treatment 7.00 EUR per day. Co-payments in one calendar year are capped at 570.00 EUR. At some private providers the rheumatologist works privately only, in which case no referral is needed.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Rheumatology, first consultation | 61.00 EUR (Rīgas veselības centrs (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Rheumatology, repeat consultation | 51.00 EUR (Rīgas veselības centrs, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Rheumatology, repeat consultation, 30 min | 105.70 EUR (Premium Medical (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Capillaroscopy within a consultation | 59.80 EUR (Premium Medical, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Ultrasound-guided injection with a short consultation | 100.20 EUR (Premium Medical, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Patient co-payment for a specialist visit | 4.00 EUR (National Health Service of Latvia (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Patient co-payment for day hospital treatment | 7.00 per day EUR (NVD, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
Professional association and oversight
The specialty body is the Latvian Society of Adult Rheumatology (opens in a new window), whose stated aim is to educate the public about the treatment of rheumatic disease and to bring together doctors and researchers working in the field. The adult rheumatology society does not appear in the our records.
Paediatric rheumatology is represented by the association "Latvijas Pediatru reimatologu biedrība", registration number 40008038524, address Vienības gatve 45, Rīga, LV-1004, contact Valda Staņeviča, Website bernureimatologija.lv (opens in a new window).
Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association (opens in a new window), founded in 1988. The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.
Patient rights and complaints
If you have doubts about the quality of care, raise them first with the institution's management, which must operate a complaints and suggestions system. If that does not resolve it, a written submission goes to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site (opens in a new window).
FAQ
Do I need a referral to see a rheumatologist?
Yes for a state-funded consultation, since a rheumatologist is not a direct-access specialist. No referral is needed for a private paid visit.
What does a visit cost?
With a referral in the public system, 4.00 EUR. A private consultation in Rīga runs from around 51.00 EUR for a follow-up to over 100.00 EUR at a specialist private clinic.
How do I confirm a doctor is certified?
Enter the surname in the practitioners register (opens in a new window) and check the specialty and the certificate validity date.
How does a rheumatologist differ from a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon?
A rheumatologist treats inflammatory and autoimmune joint and connective tissue disease with medication. A trauma and orthopaedic surgeon handles injuries and mechanical joint problems, including surgically.
How often is certification renewed?
Every 5 years, on 250 continuing education points.
This page was reviewed by Sergejs Ponomarjovs, from the E-Medicīna team. More about us.
Sources, last-reviewed footer and fact-check
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026
Related specialties
Report an error: error@emd.lv