Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Faculty Profiles

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photo Didem Saygin, MD

Rheumatology

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Email: SayginD@pitt.edu

Contact
Office: S718 Bioomedical Science Tower
3500 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
 
E-mail: SayginD@pitt.edu
Administrative Assistant:
Linda Sadej
Address: S710 Biomedical Science Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Email: sadej@pitt.edu
Phone: 412-383-8734
Fax: 412-383-8864
Education and Training
Education
MD, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine
Training
Internal Medicine Residency, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Rheumatology Fellowship, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Research Interest
In general terms, Dr. Saygin’s research focuses on improving the quality of life and longevity of individuals with inflammatory myopathies. Dr. Saygin has validated numerous myositis outcome measures including objective tools and patient-reported outcome measures in order to optimize the assessment of muscle strength and other disease related symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and physical function in both clinical practice and therapeutic trials. She has a particular interest in clinical trials, relationship between cancer and myositis, myositis associated interstitial lung disease, and immune checkpoint inhibitor induced myositis.
Clinical Interest
Inflammatory myopathies, checkpoint inhibitor induced myositis, autoimmune interstitial lung diseases, musculoskeletal ultrasound, Behcet’s disease
Educational Interest
Over the years, Dr. Saygin has mentored several medical students and residents, and conducted studies on understanding the concerns and needs of rheumatology fellows during the pandemic and experiences of program directors and fellows with virtual fellowship recruitment. Her specific interests are improvement of rheumatology fellowship education, interview experience, and augmenting the rheumatology workforce. She currently serves as the chair of the American College of Rheumatology Fellows-in-Training subcommittee.
Notable Achievements
American College of Rheumatology Distinguished Fellow Award, 2022
Rheumatology Research Foundation, Marshall J Schiff, MD Memorial Felllow Research Award, 2021
Scholarship and Certifcate of the USSONAR Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course, 2021
University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Excellence in Research Award, 2020