RITA Ireland

Home

RITA-Ireland

In the European Union, a rare disease is defined as one that affects no more than 1 in 2,000 people. Although each individual condition is uncommon, there are an estimated 6,000–8,000 rare diseases that collectively affect around 30 million people across the EU. 

The field of rare diseases has long been recognised as one where European and international collaboration is essential to improve diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient outcomes, which has been progressed through creation of the European Reference Networks.

ERN-RITA brings together leading European centres of expertise in the diagnosis and management of rare immunological disorders. These conditions are often complex and potentially life-threatening, requiring multidisciplinary care, advanced diagnostic assessment, and highly specialised treatments.  

RITA-Ireland represents patients and healthcare professionals involved in the care of people living with rare immunological diseases in Ireland, encompassing the full spectrum of conditions within these four clinical areas.