Dr. Manisha Bhochhibhoya, MD (Internal Medicine), Fellowship in Rheumatology, is a Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist at the National Center for Rheumatic Diseases (NCRD), Kathmandu, Nepal. She specializes in autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, with particular expertise in rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and gout. An active clinician-scientist with over a decade of clinical experience, she has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and contributed to multinational research collaborations, including as a co-author of the 2024 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) Recommendations for Rheumatoid Arthritis Management.

In recognition of her academic excellence and leadership, she was selected as a Phil Robinson Global Scholars Programme Awardee (2025) in association with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Her research focuses on improving early diagnosis and outcomes of autoimmune rheumatic diseases in resource-limited settings, particularly through the application of musculoskeletal ultrasound and nailfold capillaroscopy. She is also actively involved in mentoring rheumatology trainees, medical education, and international collaborative initiatives.

Areas of Expertise

• Autoimmune & Inflammatory Arthritis: Early and established rheumatoid arthritis, difficult-to-treat RA, biologic and targeted synthetic DMARD therapy, treat-to-target strategies, and disease activity monitoring.
• Sjögren’s Syndrome: Early diagnosis, systemic and extra-glandular manifestations, including interstitial lung disease and neurological involvement, with multidisciplinary management.
• Gout & Crystal Arthritis: Acute, chronic, and refractory gout, urate-lowering therapy optimization, ultrasound-guided diagnosis, and metabolic risk factor management.
• Other Areas of Expertise: Connective tissue diseases, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis (including Takayasu arteritis), Raynaud’s phenomenon, fibromyalgia, and nailfold capillaroscopy.

Education and Training

Fellowship in Rheumatology: National Center for Rheumatic Diseases (NCRD), Kathmandu, Nepal MD in Internal Medicine: Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, China (2019) MBBS: Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu University (2011) Proficiency Certificate Level (Science) : St. Xavier’s Campus, Tribhuvan University (2005) Professional Experience Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist National Center for Rheumatic Diseases (NCRD), Kathmandu, Nepal Professional Interests Dr. Bhochhibhoya’s principal academic and clinical interests include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

She has a strong interest in the early diagnosis, treat-to-target management, and long-term outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis. Her work focuses on optimizing biologic and targeted therapies, identifying predictors of treatment response, minimizing disease-related disability, and improving quality of life. She is an active member of the APLAR Rheumatoid Arthritis Special Interest Group. She contributed as a co-author to the 2024 APLAR Recommendations for Rheumatoid Arthritis Management, reflecting her commitment to advancing evidence-based care across the Asia-Pacific region.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Dr. Bhochhibhoya has a special interest in Sjögren’s syndrome, particularly in improving early recognition of the disease and understanding its systemic manifestations. She is an active member of the APLAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Special Interest Group, collaborating with international experts to promote research, education, and improved clinical care. Her interests include diagnostic strategies, disease activity assessment, and multidisciplinary management of patients with glandular and extra-glandular involvement.

Gout

Dr. Bhochhibhoya has extensive research and clinical experience in gout and crystal-induced arthritis. Her work has explored metabolic risk factors, biomarkers, and optimization of urate-lowering therapy. She is actively involved in regional collaborative research aimed at improving gout care across the Asia-Pacific region, with particular emphasis on musculoskeletal ultrasound, patient education, and implementation of evidence-based management strategies.

Medical Education and Knowledge Sharing

Scientific Publications Dr. Bhochhibhoya has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications in internationally indexed journals. Her research focuses primarily on rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, gout, musculoskeletal ultrasound, nailfold capillaroscopy, inflammatory arthritis, biologic therapies, metabolic comorbidities, and patient-reported outcomes. Her work has contributed to advancing knowledge in several important areas, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and treatment outcomes
• Methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity and therapeutic interventions
• Tocilizumab and biologic therapies in inflammatory arthritis
• Gout epidemiology, metabolic syndrome, and synovial fluid biomarkers
• Translation and validation of the Nepali Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR)
• COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients with rheumatic diseases
• Nailfold capillaroscopy in Raynaud’s phenomenon and connective tissue diseases
• Dyslipidemia in autoimmune rheumatic diseases
• Undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis
• Drug-induced autoimmune diseases

International Guideline Development and Academic Collaboration

Dr. Bhochhibhoya actively collaborates with international experts in rheumatology and has contributed to multinational research initiatives. Her major academic achievements include:

• Co-author of the 2024 APLAR Recommendations for Rheumatoid Arthritis Management, developed through an international expert collaboration with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
• Member of the APLAR Treatment Recommendations Update Committee (2023), contributing to the development of evidence-based clinical recommendations for rheumatic diseases across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Phil Robinson Global Scholars Programme Awardee (2025), recognizing emerging leaders in rheumatology and promoting international academic collaboration.

She is also an active member of several international professional groups, including the APLAR Young Rheumatologists (AYR), the APLAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Special Interest Group, and the APLAR Rheumatoid Arthritis Special Interest Group, where she participates in collaborative educational and research initiatives. Scientific Presentations and Invited Academic Activities Dr. Bhochhibhoya has presented her research at numerous national and international scientific meetings through free papers, poster presentations, oral presentations, invited lectures, and moderated sessions.

International Conferences

• 25th APLAR Congress, Thailand (2023) – Poster Presentation
• APLAR Congress, Dubai (2018) – Poster Presentation
• 18th APLAR Congress, China (2016) – Scientific Participant
• Indian Rheumatology Association Conference (IRACON 2014) – Poster presentations on dyslipidemia in rheumatic diseases and pregnancy outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis
• Indian Rheumatology Association Conference (IRACON 2019) – Poster Presentation

World Rheumatology Forum Summit (2024) – International Rheumatology Quiz Participant

National Conferences

She has presented original research at the: International Conference of Nepal Rheumatology Association (2019 and 2023

• International Conference of Nepal Rheumatology Association (2019 and 2023)
• Society of Internal Medicine of Nepal Annual Scientific Conference
• National Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes
• Blood Donors Association Nepal educational programme

Leadership in Medical Education

Dr. Bhochhibhoya actively contributes to academic leadership within Nepal’s rheumatology community. Her educational roles include:

• Moderator, “Rheumatology Nursing: A Primer”, 2nd International Conference of Nepal Rheumatology Association (2023)
• Organizing Committee Member, 2nd International Conference of Nepal Rheumatology Association
• Faculty member in continuing medical education programmes
• Mentor for rheumatology fellows, internal medicine residents, and junior physicians
• Contributor to multidisciplinary education involving physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals