Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) form a diverse and complex group of chronic conditions caused by an imbalance in the immune system. Although they may manifest differently—affecting mainly the joints, skin, or gut—they all share a common denominator: immune system dysregulation that leads to an inappropriate immune response throughout the body. IMID patients are typically treated in outpatient clinics by rheumatologists, dermatologists, or gastroenterologists, depending on the primary site of disease presentation. However, many patients experience symptoms across multiple organ system, and as a result, they often require multidisciplinary care.
Within the broad spectrum of IMIDs, three medical specialties are most commonly involved in patient care: rheumatology, dermatology, and gastroenterology. Rheumatology covers conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and dermatomyositis(DM), which primarily affect the joints and connective tissues. In dermatology, common immune-mediated diseases include psoriasis(PsO), atopic dermatitis (eczema), hidradenitis suppurativa(HS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - conditions that mainly affect the skin but can also have systemic involvement. Gastroenterology, on the other hand, addresses diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease(CD) and ulcerative colitis(UC), as well as eosinophilic esophagitis(EoE), which cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
While these diseases manifest differently depending on the organ system affected, they are all driven by immune dysregulation and often follow a lifelong, relapsing course. As such, IMIDs place a heavy burden on patients and healthcare systems alike. Many individuals face chronic pain, fatigue, visible skin symptoms, digestive issues, and reduced mobility - symptoms that significantly impact mental health and quality of life. On top of that, comorbidities are frequent, with at least one in three patients developing additional related conditions over time.
Despite decades of clinical research and the availability of numerous advanced systemic therapies, a fundamental problem remains: it is still largely unclear which therapy will work for which patient. Treatment choices are often based on trial and error, as the heterogeneous nature of these diseases, particularly in their genetic, immune response, and clinical presentation, makes it difficult to predict treatment response at start of therapy. While many of the available medications share mechanisms of action, their real-world effectiveness varies widely. As a result, many patients cycle through multiple therapies before finding one that offers adequate relief, if at all. This trial-and-error approach not only prolongs patient suffering but also puts strain on healthcare systems, especially when inappropriate treatments result in disease flares, hospitalisations, or possibly serious adverse events.
A deeper understanding of how treatments are used in real-world clinical practice is needed to close this knowledge gap. Most IMID patients are managed in outpatient settings, where treatment sequences, clinical outcomes, and patient experiences are typically not always captured in a structured way. However, by structuring and systemically analysing longitudinal data from these settings, we can uncover meaningful patterns. Which treatments are prescribed first, and how do patients respond over time? How do comorbidities influence treatment choices and outcomes? Which patients are being hospitalised, and could earlier intervention have prevented this? These are the types of questions real-world data can help answer.
At LOGEX, we believe that the best way to tackle these challenges is through collaboration. That’s why we created the IMID Observatory - a framework designed to bring together hospitals and life science partners to share and discuss data insights. By aggregating and analysing anonymised patient level data across dermatology, rheumatology, and gastroenterology out-patient clinics, we generate a comprehensive view of treatment patterns, full patient journeys, and clinical outcomes. This data-driven approach makes it possible to study treatment sequencing, demographic variation, comorbidity impact, and long-term therapy effectiveness in the daily clinical practice, a way that controlled clinical trials alone cannot.
Our goal is clear: to empower the healthcare ecosystem to make better, data-driven decisions for health care providers and patients living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Whether you're a clinician aiming to enhance care delivery or a life science company looking to refine therapeutic strategies, the IMID Observatory offers the real-world evidence needed to enable smarter, more personalised care.
To learn more about how you can get involved and the timelines for the 2025 season, reach out to our Real-World Evidence Lead Femke Oldenziel, at femke.oldenziel@logex.com.
