DHA Rheumatology exam questions
Inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disease, vasculitis and biologics.
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DHA Rheumatology exam at a glance
- Exam code
- RHU5501
- Questions
- 150 MCQs
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Pass mark
- 65%
- Fee per attempt
- USD 280 (about AED 1,030)
- Result
- Pass or fail, no score
From the DHA CBT Guideline, Sep 2026. Delivered by Prometric; three attempts in total across the UAE authorities. Full DHA exam guide.
Try two questions from this bank
Original questions from the bank - pick an answer to see the rationale and reference.
Polarised microscopy of synovial fluid from an acutely inflamed first MTP joint is expected to show which crystals?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
A 42-year-old man has recurrent pseudogout attacks and chondrocalcinosis of both knees. Which test is most important to look for an underlying cause?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Not sure where you stand? Sit 12 of these questions free, timed at real exam pace, and see which domains you are weakest in.
Take the free mock exam →Liked those? The full bank has 450 questions at this standard - every one with a rationale and a reference.
Get the full bank - AED 289What's inside
- ✓3 full-length papers (~150 Q each)
- ✓450 questions, no overlap between papers
- ✓Four options, one unambiguous best answer
- ✓A full rationale on every question
- ✓A real guideline or textbook reference
- ✓Every sub-topic in the published blueprint
The Rheumatology exam in every GCC country
| Regulator | Exam | Format | Pass mark | Fee per attempt | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA Dubai | Specialist Rheumatology (RHU5501) | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 65% | USD 280 (about AED 1,030) | DHA questions → |
| DOH Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra | DOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Written + oral/OSCE | Pass / fail only | Not published | DOH questions → |
| MOHAP Northern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | MOHAP licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based | Not published | Not published | MOHAP questions → |
| SHA Emirate of Sharjah | SHA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Set at assessment | Not published | Not published | SHA questions → |
| SCFHS Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | SCFHS licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 200 MCQs, 240 min | 500-560 of 800 | Not published | SCFHS questions → |
| QCHP State of Qatar | Specialist Rheumatology | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 65% | Not published | QCHP questions → |
| NHRA Kingdom of Bahrain | NHRA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Prometric CBT | Not published | Not published | NHRA questions → |
| OMSB Sultanate of Oman | OMSB licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based OC exam | Not published | Not published | OMSB questions → |
| Kuwait MOH State of Kuwait | Kuwait MOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 150 MCQs, 170 min | 60-70% | Not published | Kuwait MOH questions → |
exact exam published for Rheumatology
From each regulator's own exam pages; anything a regulator does not publish says so. Assessment mode also depends on your licence title, so confirm your route on your eligibility notice.
Try 15 free Rheumatology questions with answersDifferent from the samples on this page - each with a full explanationStart →What the Rheumatology exam covers
The published blueprint for this exam breaks into 8 domains and 50 testable sub-topics. Our bank covers every one of them - here is the full map, so you can see exactly what you are expected to know.
Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis~18%7 topics
- RA serology: RF, anti-CCP and classification criteria
- Early RA treatment: methotrexate, bridging glucocorticoids, treat-to-target
- Biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs
- Extra-articular RA: Felty syndrome, ILD, vasculitis
- Cervical spine involvement and perioperative risk
- Psoriatic arthritis: patterns, imaging and therapy
- Disease activity measures: DAS28, CDAI
Spondyloarthritis~10%5 topics
- Inflammatory back pain and HLA-B27
- ASAS classification and MRI of sacroiliac joints
- NSAIDs, TNF and IL-17 inhibitors in axial disease
- Reactive arthritis and enteropathic arthritis
- Extra-musculoskeletal features: uveitis, IBD, psoriasis
Crystal Arthropathies~10%6 topics
- Gout diagnosis: synovial fluid microscopy, imaging
- Acute gout flare management
- Urate-lowering therapy: targets and titration
- Allopurinol hypersensitivity and HLA-B*58:01
- CPPD disease and metabolic associations
- Basic calcium phosphate disease
Connective Tissue Diseases~18%8 topics
- SLE: autoantibodies, classification and organ involvement
- Drug-induced lupus
- Pregnancy in autoimmune disease: anti-Ro, neonatal lupus
- Systemic sclerosis: subsets, renal crisis, ILD, PAH
- Inflammatory myopathies and myositis-specific antibodies
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Sjogren disease and lymphoma risk
- Mixed connective tissue disease and overlap syndromes
Vasculitis~14%6 topics
- Giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
- Takayasu arteritis
- ANCA-associated vasculitis: GPA, MPA, EGPA
- Polyarteritis nodosa
- Behcet disease
- IgA vasculitis and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis
Osteoarthritis, Bone and Soft Tissue~10%6 topics
- Osteoarthritis: imaging and non-surgical management
- Osteoporosis: diagnosis and fracture risk
- Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
- Antiresorptive therapy: bisphosphonates, denosumab
- Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain
- Regional soft tissue disorders and entrapment neuropathies
Pediatric Rheumatology and Joint Infection~8%5 topics
- Septic arthritis: diagnosis and urgent management
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis subtypes
- Macrophage activation syndrome
- Kawasaki disease
- Lyme, viral and post-infectious arthritis
Drug Safety, Monitoring and Professional Practice~12%7 topics
- Methotrexate toxicity and interactions
- Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy screening
- Screening before biologics: TB, hepatitis B
- Vaccination in immunosuppressed patients
- Antirheumatic drugs in pregnancy and lactation
- Leflunomide washout and teratogenicity
- Informed consent, shared decision-making and patient safety
6 worked Rheumatology practice questions
Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.
Question 1 · Connective Tissue Diseases
A pregnant woman with Sjogren disease has high-titre anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. What is the main fetal risk to monitor for?
- ANeural tube defect
- BFetal macrosomia
- CCongenital heart block
- DNeonatal hypoglycemia
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Congenital heart block
Maternal anti-Ro antibodies cross the placenta and can damage the fetal conduction system, causing congenital heart block; fetal echocardiographic monitoring and hydroxychloroquine are advised. Neural tube defects are not linked to anti-Ro.
Reference: ACR Guideline for Reproductive Health in Rheumatic Diseases 2020
Question 2 · Drug Safety, Monitoring and Professional Practice
Which antirheumatic drug is recommended to continue during pregnancy in SLE?
- AMethotrexate
- BHydroxychloroquine
- CMycophenolate mofetil
- DLeflunomide
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine is safe in pregnancy and lowers lupus flares and neonatal lupus risk. Methotrexate and mycophenolate are teratogenic and must be stopped before conception.
Reference: ACR Guideline for Reproductive Health in Rheumatic Diseases 2020
Question 3 · Drug Safety, Monitoring and Professional Practice
A patient on etanercept is planning travel. Which vaccine should be avoided?
- AInactivated influenza vaccine
- BHepatitis A vaccine
- CPneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- DYellow fever vaccine
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Yellow fever vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine is live attenuated and is contraindicated in patients on biologic immunosuppression. Inactivated and conjugate vaccines are safe and recommended.
Reference: EULAR Recommendations for Vaccination in Adults with AIIRD 2019
Question 4 · Drug Safety, Monitoring and Professional Practice
A woman on leflunomide unexpectedly wishes to conceive soon. What is the recommended approach?
- AStop it and give a cholestyramine washout
- BContinue it at half dose
- CStop it and simply wait 4 weeks before trying
- DSwitch to methotrexate
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Stop it and give a cholestyramine washout
Leflunomide's active metabolite persists for up to 2 years because of enterohepatic circulation; cholestyramine accelerates elimination until levels are undetectable. Methotrexate is itself teratogenic.
Reference: ACR Guideline for Reproductive Health in Rheumatic Diseases 2020
Question 5 · Osteoarthritis, Bone and Soft Tissue
A woman wishes to stop denosumab after 5 years of treatment. What is the main risk, and how is it reduced?
- AOsteonecrosis of the jaw; stop without follow-up
- BRebound vertebral fractures; follow with a bisphosphonate
- CHypercalcemia; give a loop diuretic
- DAtypical femur fracture; start teriparatide immediately
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Rebound vertebral fractures; follow with a bisphosphonate
Stopping denosumab causes rapid rebound bone turnover and multiple vertebral fractures; a bisphosphonate should follow. Denosumab must not be stopped without transition.
Reference: ECTS Position Statement on Denosumab Discontinuation 2021
Question 6 · Pediatric Rheumatology and Joint Infection
A child with systemic JIA becomes acutely unwell with persistent fever, falling platelets, falling ESR, ferritin 12,000 µg/L and low fibrinogen. What is the most likely complication?
- ADisease flare of systemic JIA
- BMacrophage activation syndrome
- CBacterial sepsis with DIC
- DDrug-induced hepatitis
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Macrophage activation syndrome
A falling ESR with falling fibrinogen and platelets and very high ferritin is typical of MAS, a life-threatening hemophagocytic syndrome. A simple flare usually raises ESR and platelets.
Reference: 2016 EULAR/ACR/PRINTO Classification Criteria for MAS in Systemic JIA
Last reviewed September 2026
About these questions: every question is original, written to the published blueprint, with a rationale and a reference. No recalled or leaked exam content is used. How we write our questions.
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