Dr Qasim Akram is a Consultant Rheumatologist and General Physician based in South Manchester and Cheshire. He is an expert in the use of musculo-skeletal ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatological diseases. Additionally, he has a sub-specialist interest in Early Inflammatory Arthritis (EIA) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)/Large Vessel Vasculitis (LVV). He runs specialist EIA and GCA clinics utilising ultrasound to enable one stop shop clinics.

Dr Akram specialises in all aspects of rheumatological disease including inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, peripheral spondyloarthropathy, enteropathic and reactive arthritis), crystal arthritides such as gout and osteoarthritis, and other soft tissue musculo-skeletal diseases and fibromyalgia/ chronic pain syndromes. He also specialises in the conditions affecting other joints and also treats all aspects of other rheumatological disease including Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Connective Tissue Diseases such as SLE, Systemic Sclerosis and Inflammatory Myositis. Dr Akram is experienced and up to date with the latest treatments for rheumatological disease including advanced biologic therapies.

Dr Akram holds a dual UK board certification (CCT) in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine having completed specialist training at various reputable teaching hospitals in the North West Deanery as well as an International Fellowship under the guidance of both a pioneer and international expert of musculo-skeletal ultrasound, Dr Esperanza Naredo, in Madrid, Spain.

Here, he learnt excellency in the use ultrasound, to accurately diagnose a wide variety of rheumatological disease pathology, monitor disease response to treatments and to help guide the accurate placement of joint, soft tissue and tendon injections in both upper and lower limbs. Dr Akram now performs joint and tendon procedures (steroid injections and aspirations) under direct ultrasound guidance enabling better accuracy and improved patient satisfaction. He holds European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Level 2 MSUS accreditation.

Dr Akram currently co-leads the Stockport Early Inflammatory Arthritis ‘one stop shop’ Ultrasound Clinic and the Stockport GCA Fast Track Pathway. Both of these novel and innovative services have led to a significant improvement in disease outcomes and better patient satisfaction for patients with rheumatic disease.

Dr Akram is an international accredited EULAR Ultrasound Instructor and teach ultrasound to consultant peers and specialty trainees at an international, national, and regional level. He is founder and course director of the national “Rheumatology Ultrasound Course- Manchester Workshop’ which has been running since 2023. Dr Akram was a guest speaker and ran a workshop at the 14th ADDARC Rheumatology Review course in Dubai in October 2024 and is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences. He also mentors and trains ultrasound to specialty trainees during their rotation at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Dr Akram's main research and quality improvement interest in the use of ultrasound in rheumatological disease, improving ultrasound services in rheumatology and seeing a wider dissemination of this invaluable clinical tool within the rheumatology community in the UK and beyond. He is actively involved in several ongoing clinical trials and have presented my work at international and national conferences.

Dr Akram has published extensively in leading high impact international peer reviewed journals in both rheumatology and general medicine including original research, case reports and review articles. He has contributed to the New England Journal of Medicine, British Medical Journal and Rheumatology Journal to name a few building up an impressive academic portfolio. He is also involved in the training, education and research of undergraduates from the University of Manchester and Postgraduate trainees and has completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education.

Dr Akram prides himself on his pleasant, down to earth and approachable manner. He aims to provide easy to understand information about complex rheumatological and general medical conditions leaving patients satisfied and believes that good and strong communication between patient and physician is key to a positive outcome to a consultation, and in tailoring suitable treatments to individual patients.