29th Belgian Congress of Rheumatology
The Royal Belgian Society of Rheumatology takes great pleasure in announcing the 29th Belgian Congress of Rheumatology, taking place in Antwerpen on 24-26 September 2025.
This year’s congress will take place at Hilton Antwerp Old Town.
Welcome!
Dear Colleagues,
The Royal Belgian Society for Rheumatology takes great pleasure in announcing the 27th Belgian Congress of Rheumatology, taking place in Gent on 20 – 22 September 2023.
This year’s congress will take place at De Bijloke.
De Bijloke is one of the historic hospitals of Ghent, an architectural jewel, which has been completely refurbished. The medieval infirmary now is the main Concert Hall (where for instance the Symphony Orchestra Flanders has its home base). The other meeting rooms with enthralling names such as the ‘Anatomical Theatre’ have also been completely renovated.
We look forward to welcoming you to Gent!
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Sabine Castro
Dr. Anaïs Depicker
Dr. Valérie Lambrecht
Dr. Liesbet Van Praet
Local Organising Committee
Call for Abstracts
Deadline 15 May
Authors can submit their abstracts for oral or poster presentation. It is to be noted that the Scientific Committee will select a limited number of abstracts for oral presentation in the Young Investigators’ Meeting, the abstract sessions and the Thieves Market (send us your most remarkable clinical cases!). The other abstracts will be accepted for poster presentation, after peer review (see scoring and evaluation guidelines below).
The three most challenging clinical cases submitted for the Thieves Market will be selected by the scientific committee for an oral presentation. This year, a 500 € prize will be awarded to the young clinician who presents the best of these three selected clinical cases. Only trainees or rheumatologists within maximum 3 years of board certification can apply.
Encore abstracts are accepted.
Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their abstract by email by mid June 2025.
Download the abstract template here.
Submission Guidelines
You can submit several abstracts at the same time and add abstracts later on:
- Click on the link below to start and create a profile.
- Fill out your personal details and go through the submission procedure.
Your abstract(s) is/are only uploaded successfully when you receive an automatic reply confirming your submission(s).
IMPORTANT: The uploaded Word file(s) must contain title, authors & affiliations and the actual abstract.
Click here for step by step guidance through the online submission procedure.
Instructions for Authors
- Abstracts must be written in English not exceeding 450 words (including title, authors, affiliations), and must be submitted as a Word file (xxx.doc) via the online submission form.
- Use font Arial 10 characters per inch (font size 10).
- Use single spacing and type the text unjustified without hyphenating words at line breaks. Use hard returns only to end headings and paragraphs, not to rearrange lines
- Type title in sentence case in bold with no full stop at the end
- Type family name first followed by the initials of the first name of the authors (Rubens P.P., Van Eyck J. etc.)
- Type affiliation underneath the authors: Department, Institution, City, Country (do not mention street addresses, PO boxes or zip codes). When there are multiple affiliations number them as follows and use the semi-colon between the multiple affiliations:
1Dept. A, Hospital A, City, Country; 2Dept. B, Hospital B, City, Country etc. - Organise the abstract in sections as follows:
- Background/Purpose
Background or statement of purpose - Methods
Methods, materials, and analytical procedure used - Results
Summary of the results in sufficient detail to support conclusion - Conclusion
Conclusions reached
- Paragraph headings should by typed in bold with no colon at the end. Do not use the heading ‘Abstract’. Each heading should be in a separate paragraph.
- Max 2 figures or tables are allowed.
- The use of References must be limited to max 3. When you list references, use superscript numbers in both the text and the reference list. Use Arial font size 8 for references
Scoring and evaluation Guidelines
- Abstracts will be scored in a non-blinded manner
- Abstract with scores < 5 will not be accepted to the conference.
- 2 abstract subtypes 1. Original research, 2. Clinical cases.
- The submitting author is asked to indicate whether/not he/she prefers to present at the Young Investigator Meeting Y/N or the Thieves Market (if eligible).
- Guidelines for scoring
10 = outstanding (oral)
9 = excellent (oral)
8 = very good (oral/poster)
7 = good (oral/poster)
6 = good (poster)
5 = fair (poster)
4 = insufficient (reject)
3 = poor (reject)
2 = very poor (reject)
1 = very poor (reject) - Clinical cases: Case reports and the efforts of young colleagues when presenting interesting cases is to be encouraged (as an overarching principle). Applications for the Thieves’ Market must be done as part of the submission process. Only trainees and rheumatologists within 3 years of board certification can apply.
- Abstracts on industry-sponsored trials with no Belgian contributors may be rejected.
- For all abstracts: Scoring instructions: please add ‘Suggested for oral presentation Y/N
Program
10.00
Young Investigators’ Meeting
10.00
Selected Abstract Presentations
12.00
Welcome Lunch
12.45
Opening Ceremony
11.00
SESSION 1: Clinical Cases and Debates
Chairs:
13.00
Debate: Ultrasonography versus clinical assessment in steering
treatment adapation in infl ammatory arthritis? What have we
learned?
Clio Ribbens (ULiège) and Filip Van Den Bosch (Ugent)
13.30
Selected abstracts presentations
14.00
Checkpoint inhibition in cancer and joints: friend or foe?
Sandrine Aspeslagh (UZ Brussel)
11.00
14.30
Update in Therapeutics – Organised with an educational grant
from Boehringer ‘Fish bowl’ interactive discussion on the general management of progressive pulmonary fibrosis
Moderator: Vanessa Smith (UGent)
Participants: Antoine Froidure (UCL), Yves Piette (UGent, AZ SintJan Brugge), Ellen De Langhe (KUL), Ilse Hoffman (ZAS), Olivier
Malaise (CHU de Liège)
15.00
Selected abstracts presentations
15.30
Coffee Break
11.00
SESSION 2: Ethics and Economy
Chairs:
16.00
Balancing between budget and optimal healthcare:
Opportunities and challenges
Wim Vervaet, Medaxes
16.30
Medical Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and societal challenges
Gaetan Letesson, Hôpital de la Citadelle Liège
17.00
Pollution, endocrine disruptors, and rheumatic diseases
Jérémie Sellam, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
17.30
Update from the Professional Association
Philip Remans, President BRV-AMRB
17.45
Update from ReumaNet/CLAIR and BeHPR
Kathleen Sohier (ReumaNet)
Cécile Gérardy (CLAIR)
Thanny Bries (BeHPR)
18.00
End of Day 1
Session 3. Spondyloarthritis
Moderator:
09.00
Update in Therapeutics – Organised with an educational grant from Alfasigma
Your diet matters: What have we learned from diet interventions
in medicine: Implications for rheumatology?
Joao Sabino (UZ Leuven)
09.30
Update in Therapeutics – Organised with an educational grant from UCB
Early remission induction in spondyloarthritis: What is new?
Philippe Carron (UGent)
10.00
Selected abstracts presentations
10.30
Sharing of the QR code to vote for KBVR/SRBR board members
10.35
Poster Viewing & Coffee Break
SESSION 4: Osteoarthritis
Chairs:
11.15
11.45
Metabolic disease and rheumatic disease: GLP1 joins the dance
Francis Berenbaum, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
Healthy aging: Effect of exercise therapy on inflammation,
myokine response
Ivan Bautmans (VUB)
Update in Therapeutics – Organised with an educational grant from Lilly
12.15
General Assembly
12.45
Lunch Break
13.45
FWRO Ceremony
SESSION 5: Interdisciplinary Session
Chairs:
14.30
Switching versus cycling of different mode of action
Stephen Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Update in Therapeutics – Organised with an educational grant from Abbvie
15.15
Update in Therapeutics – Organised with an educational grant from Novartis
Sjogren’s disease: Dry matters
Isabelle Peene (AZ Sint-Jan Brugge & UGent)
15.45
Economic crisis and healthcare policy
Koen Schoors (UGent)
16.15
Selected Abtract Presentations
16.45
Coffee break
SESSION 6: The Cutting Edge of Research
Chairs:
17.15
Cell depletion strategies in rheumatology: Ready for daily clinical practice?
Georg Schett, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg,
Germany
17.45
19:00
Adjourn
Congress Dinner
WORKSHOPS
09.30 – 10.00
Workshop 1 – Organised with an educational grant from Alfasigma
Managing inflammatory rheumatic diseases in the elderly
Bhaskar Dasgupta, Spire Healthcare, Brentwood, UK
09.30 – 10.00
Workshop 2 – Organised with an educational grant from AstraZeneca
Tips and tricks of managing SLE in 2026
Frédéric Houssiau (UCL) and Ellen De Langhe (KUL)
09.30 – 10.00
Workshop 3 – Organised with an educational grant from Abbvie
Practical implications of AI in rheumatology care
Tom Braeckeleirs (UGent) and Ilse Hoffman (ZAS)
09.30 – 10.00
Workshop 4 – Organised with an educational grant from UCB
Bone clinical cases
Moderator: Olivier Malaise (CHU Liège)
Bruno Lapauw (UGent) and Thoma Funck-Brentano, Hôpitaux de Paris, France
10.00 – 10.15
Transfer time
10.15 – 10.45
Workshop 1 – Organised with an educational grant from Alfasigma
Managing inflammatory rheumatic diseases in the elderly
Bhaskar Dasgupta, Spire Healthcare, Brentwood, UK
10.15 – 10.45
Workshop 2 – Organised with an educational grant from AstraZeneca
Tips and tricks of managing SLE in 2026
Frédéric Houssiau (UCL) and Ellen De Langhe (KUL)
10.15 – 10.45
Workshop 3 – Organised with an educational grant from Abbvie
Practical implications of AI in rheumatology care
Tom Braeckeleirs (UGent) and Ilse Hoffman (ZAS)
10.15 – 10.45
Workshop 4 – Organised with an educational grant from UCB
Bone clinical cases
Moderator: Olivier Malaise (CHU Liège)
Bruno Lapauw (UGent) and Thoma Funck-Brentano, Hôpitaux de Paris, France
10.45
11.15
Coffee Break
Inter-University Quiz on KBVR-SRBR History
11.00
SESSION 7: Closing Session
Chairs:
11:30
Vasculitis: What is new?
Stephen Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
12:00
Year in Review
Alla Ischenko and Margot Van Mechelen (Antwerpen)
12:30
The Thieves’ Market: Best Clinical Case Contest
13.15
Closure of the Congress
13.25
Farewell Lunch
13.30
BCR 2027 Scientific meeting (Scientif Committee only)
14.15
KBVR-SRBR Board meeting (Board members only)
De Bijloke
Bijlokekaai 7
9000 Gent
De Bijloke is located in the city centre at a 18 – 20 minutes’ walking distance from the hotels and at a 7 minutes’ walk from the nearest tram stop.
Hotel Accommodation
A number of hotel rooms have been booked at special group rates.
These rates only apply for reservations made through Medicongress.
You can reserve your hotel room through the online registration form.
Any requests for hotel accommodation must be accompanied by a valid credit card number, in order to secure the room. Participants will have to pay their room and personal expenses at the reception of the hotel.
In case of late cancellation or no show, the room will be charged on the credit card.
| Hotel | Registration Fees | Cancellation Policy |
|---|---|---|
Hotel de Flandre**** | Single Room: € 159,00/night Double Room: € 179,00/night WiFi & Breakfast are included. City Tax: € 3,00/person/night | Free cancellation untill 48 hours before the day of arrival. Late cancellation or no showx: 100% will be charged. |
Hotel de Flandre****
 | Single Room: On 20/09: € 239,00/night On 21/09: € 259,00/night Double Room: On 20/09: € 259,00/night On 21/09: € 279,00/night WiFi & Breakfast are included. City Tax: € 3,00/person/night Parking: € 25,00/car/night | Free cancellation until 7 days prior to arrival. Late cancellation or no show: 100% will be charged |
NH Ghent Belfort****
 | Double Room: € 186,50/night WiFi & Breakfast are included. City Tax: € 3,00/person/night | The rooms can be cancelled free of charge up to 30 days before arrival. Late cancellation or no show: 100% will be charged |
Hotel Gravensteen****
 | Single Room: € 159,00/night
Double Room: € 179,00/night WiFi & Breakfast are included. City Tax: € 3,00/person/night | All late cancellations or no shows will be charged at 100% of their stay |
Ibis Gent Centrum St-Baafs Kathedraal****
 | Single room: € 132,00/night
Double room: €148,00/night WiFi & Breakfast are included. City Tax: € 3,00/person/night Parking is available upon reservation. | Free cancellation until 2 days prior to arrival. Late cancellation or no show: 100% will be charged. |
Ibis Gent Centrum Opera****
 | Single room: € 120,00/night
Double room: €139,00/night WiFi & Breakfast are included. City Tax: € 3,00/person/night Parking: € 20,00/car/night | Free cancellation until 2 days prior to arrival. Late cancellation or no show: 100% will be charged. |
Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
Registration
| Registration Fees | EARLY (until 31 Aug) | LATE (as of 1 Sept) |
|---|---|---|
| Member KBVR-SRBR | € 300,00 | € 400,00 |
| Non-Member | € 400,00 | € 500,00 |
| Trainee in Rheumatology* | € 50,00 | € 75,00 |
| Other Trainee* | € 75,00 | € 100,00 |
| Research non-MD* | € 50,00 | € 75,00 |
| Emeritus | € 50,00 | € 75,00 |
| Congress Dinner | € 75,00 | € 75,00 |
| Healthcare Professionals' Meeting on Thursday (21 Sept) | FREE | FREE |
* Registration as a trainee or researcher will only be accepted if accompanied by a copy of your student card or a certificate of your director (proof to be uploaded during the registration process). Without proof the non-member fee will be charged.
The registration fee for BCR participants include:
- Participation in all scientific sessions
- Participation in the ‘Updates in Therapeutics’ organised by the Industry
- Programme and Abstracts
- Access to the exhibition
- Lunches and coffee breaks
- Walking Dinner on Wednesday
The free registration for Healthcare Professionals in the BeHPR meeting on Thursday includes
- Participation in all scientific sessions on Thursday 21 September
- Lunch and coffee breaks on Thursday 21 September
Confirmation
When your registration is completed successfully, you will receive an automatic confirmation. You can also print an invoice when you finalise your online registration.
Payment
All payments are to be made in EURO, net of all bank charges and commissionf for the receiver.
Payment is to be made by:
- Credit Card: Only VISA & MasterCard are accepted
- Bank Wire
Changes/Name Substitutions
You will receive a personal link in your final confirmation email. With this link it will be possible to make changes or transfer your registration to a colleague free of charge.
Cancellations
Participants canceling their registration before 1 September 2023, will receive a full refund, less administration costs (50 € for members and non-members and 25 € for trainees, researchers and emeriti). There will be no refunds for cancellations received after this date. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing to the Organising Secretariat. All refunds will be processed after the Congress.
Accreditation
Belgian accreditation has been requested.
Our terms and conditions
These terms and conditions apply to all payments/registrations made to Medicongress Services. By using the online payment facility on this website you implicitly accept these general terms and conditions.
By entering your credit card information:
You state that you are an authorized user of the credit card and that the associated information entered is accurate. You authorize Medicongress Services to charge the booked amount to your credit card.
Declined/ Refused payments:
We cannot accept liability if the payment is refused or declined by the credit/ debit card supplier (due to the customer quoting incorrect card details or other reasons).
Declined/ Refused payments:
We cannot accept liability if the payment is refused or declined by the credit/ debit card supplier (due to the customer quoting incorrect card details or other reasons).
Liability and Insurance
In registering for the 27th Belgian Congress on Rheumatology, participants agree that neither BCR 2023 nor the Organizing Secretariat assume any liability whatsoever. Participants should therefore organize their own health, travel and personal insurances.
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Force Majeure
The Organizers and co-Organizers of the Congress shall not be held responsible for any delay or failure in performance of its obligations hereunder to the extent such delay or failure is caused by fire, flood, strike, civil, governmental or military authority, acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war, epidemics, the un-availability of the venue or other similar causes beyond its reasonable control and without fault or negligence. For one or more of such reasons, the organizers and any co-organizers of the Congress may postpone, reschedule or cancel the event without liability on the part of organizers and co-organizers of the Congress. In the event the Congress cannot be held or is postponed pursuant to this section, the organizers and co-organizers of the Congress shall not be liable to attendee for any direct, consequential or incidental damages, costs, or losses incurred, such as transportation costs, accommodations costs, or financial losses.