Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta
Consultant Rheumatologist
MB BS, MD, FRCP
I have been the head of the rheumatology and clinical director of research and audit at Southend University Hospital and hold an honorary professorship at Essex University and a visiting professorship at Anglia Ruskin University. I originally trained in rheumatology at Guy's Hospital and have been a consultant rheumatologist for 32 years at Southend and am responsible for founding modern rheumatology services in Southend and Essex. The department has an international reputation for excellence.
I have a longstanding interest in musculoskeletal and temporal artery ultrasonography. I have lectured on the topic at international meetings and regularly host national and regional courses. I am a lead investigator for a UK multicentre study comparing the diagnostic accuracy of temporal artery ultrasound versus temporal artery biopsy in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis.
I have had a lifelong interest in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) and have published numerous articles on these topics. My work has been celebrated in the BBC 2 flagship health programme 'Trust me I'm a Doctor' screened on 15 February 2017.
As convenor, I developed the British Society of Rheumatology guidelines on PMR and GCA which have now been adopted by GPs in the United Kingdom. I am the lead for multidisciplinary work group, represented by members from BSR, RCGP, RCO and the Department of Health tasked with the 'roll out' of a fast track pathway for GCA across the United Kingdom.
I published nearly 400 original articles in peer reviewed reputed journals. With recent 2023 publications in Nature Reviews, New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. I have lead the concept of GPSD (GCAPMR Spectrum Disease) and am the Chief Investigator for several multicentre clinical trials. I run international training courses on vascular ultrasound and have developed the concept of POCRUS (point of care rheumatology ultrasound).
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta at Spire include:
Rheumatology
- Back pain investigations (discography)
Other treatments
Rheumatology:
- Back pain
- Connective tissue disease
- Enteropathic arthritis
- Fibromyalgia and widespread pain
- Gout
- Inflammatory rheumatic disorders
- Metabolic bone diseases
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis and fragility fractures
- Polymyalgia rheumatic and giant cell arteritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Soft tissue rheumatism
- Spondyloarthritis
- Vascular and MSK ultrasonography
Get in touch
Important information about COVID-19 tests
COVID-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service at Spire Hartswood Hospital.
Additional information
Clinical interests
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Special clinical interests: Polymyalgia rheumatica, Pagets disease, giant cell arteritis, lupus, vasculitis, musculoskeletal ultrasound
Qualification and professional memberships
Professional memberships
British Society of Rheumatology (BSR)
Convenor, BSR Special Interest Group Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis
American College of Rheumatology
Member of Essex and Hertfordshire CLRN Board
MSK Speciality Lead E&H CLRN
Research and publications
I have helped found the PMRGCAUK - first national charity dedicated to PMR and GCA and have published over 100 original articles and reviews on PMR, GCA and RA. I was the first to clinically describe sacral fractures and I also lead the fracture prevention service. I have organised several international symposia and imaging workshops dedicated to PMR GCA large vessel vasculitis and development of MSK ultrasound to study RA and other diseases. I am the founder honorary president of the national charity PMRGCAUK.
I was a lead investigator for the development of EULAR and ACR classification criteria for PMR. This prospective study has also led to validation of patient reported outcome measures for the assessment of PMR. I have lead on several new clinical trials in both PMR and GCA. I have also lead the development of EULAR ACR guidelines for PMR with joint transatlantic publication in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases and Arthritis Rheumatology in October 2015. I have pioneered the fast track pathway for GCA which not only saves sight but also cost - since a cost effectiveness analysis done by NHS England showed this pathway to be very cost effective.
Articles
BBC Two Trust me I'm a Doctor - Giant cell arteritis can cause sight-loss
20/02/2017
Current NHS posts
Consultant Rheumatologist, Southend Hospital NHS Trust
Clinical Director Research and Audit, Honorary Professor, Essex University
Visiting Professor, Anglia Ruskin University
Honorary Professor, Queen Mary's University Hospital, London
Honorary Professor, University of Essex