Rheumatoid arthritis care in Nigeria: reviews, blood tests and a plan that holds
Mezo Health supports people with rheumatoid arthritis between rheumatology visits: a named GP you choose keeps your blood test monitoring and reviews on schedule, tests are done at a partner lab or at home in Lagos, and your rheumatologist sets and changes the treatment. A hot, swollen joint with fever, or a fever while on treatment, needs a hospital, not a video call.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Who this is for
- Adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, on treatment or about to start
- People on methotrexate or another arthritis medicine that needs regular blood tests
- Anyone whose arthritis care has lapsed because the clinic is far or the queue takes the day
- A parent in Nigeria whose children abroad want their care kept on track
How often you are reviewed
- 1
Monthly while the disease is active
NICE advises checking CRP and disease activity monthly in specialist care until the target of remission or low disease activity is reached.
- 2
A yearly review, even when well
NICE advises an annual review for everyone with rheumatoid arthritis, to check disease activity, function, the heart, bones and mood, and the need for any other care.
These are the guideline intervals, listed under sources below. Your GP may see you more often.
Tests, and when they are done
| Test | When |
|---|---|
| Full blood count, liver and kidney function | At the intervals your rheumatologist sets for your medicine, usually more often in the first months. |
| CRP or ESR (inflammation markers) | At reviews, to see whether the disease is controlled. |
| Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar | At least yearly, because rheumatoid arthritis raises the risk of heart disease. |
Your GP orders the tests on Mezo. You see the price and pay before you go, then choose a partner lab or, in Lagos, a home collection.
What your GP does
- Keeps your monitoring blood tests on the schedule your rheumatologist sets, and goes through the results with you
- Sees you by video for everyday problems and infections, which matter more on arthritis medicines
- Checks your blood pressure, cholesterol, bones and mood once a year
- Makes sure you see the rheumatologist on time, and sooner in a flare
When a rheumatologist is involved
- Diagnosis, and starting or changing disease-modifying treatment
- A flare, or joints that stay swollen despite treatment
- The yearly review of disease activity and joint damage
Rheumatologists join Mezo as they are verified. When none is taking bookings, a care coordinator arranges one for you and your GP sends a summary of your care.
Find a rheumatologist on Mezo- Rheumatology Consultation, from ₦100,000
Go to the nearest emergency department now if
- A single hot, red, swollen joint with a fever
- A fever, cough or breathlessness while on treatment that lowers immunity
- Mouth ulcers, unusual bruising or a sore throat that will not settle while on methotrexate
A video consult is not the place for an emergency.
Questions people ask
Who looks after rheumatoid arthritis?
A rheumatologist leads: making the diagnosis, choosing the medicines and changing them. A GP can share the routine care, keeping the monitoring blood tests and reviews on schedule in between.
Why do I need blood tests on methotrexate?
Methotrexate and similar medicines can affect the blood count, the liver and the kidneys. Regular tests catch a problem early, before it causes harm. Your rheumatologist sets how often.
How often should rheumatoid arthritis be reviewed?
Monthly in specialist care while the disease is active, until it is controlled, and then at least once a year, according to NICE.
Is Your GP insurance?
No. Your GP is a monthly subscription, not insurance. Nothing is included: every consult, test and medicine is paid when you use it, at the member price, shown before you pay.
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: management (NG100). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.