Robert A. Lafyatis
Advanced in Localized Scleroderma

Dr. Robert A. Lafyatis

Rheumatology
UPMC
UPMC Arthritis And Autoimmunity Center
3601 5th Avenue, Suite 2B, 
Pittsburgh, PA 
On Staff At
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Advanced in Localized Scleroderma
UPMC
UPMC Arthritis And Autoimmunity Center
3601 5th Avenue, Suite 2B, 
Pittsburgh, PA 
OverviewInsuranceLocationsClinical ResearchSimilar Doctors

Overview

Robert Lafyatis, MD, is a rheumatologist and is certified in rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is  the Thomas Medsger Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from University of Cincinnati and completed his residency at Wake Forest School of Medicine, followed by his fellowship at National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lafyatis’s clinical interests include systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and its complications in the skin and lungs. His research interests include understanding the underlying cause of scleroderma and finding new treatments. Dr. Lafyatis directs the University of Pittsburgh/University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Scleroderma Center and the National Institutes of Health, Center for Scleroderma Research Translation.  He has over 200 peer-reviewed publications and co-authors the Textbook of Rheumatology chapter on Scleroderma Pathogenesis.

Dr. Lafyatis is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Localized Scleroderma. His top areas of expertise are Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Scleroderma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Scleroma, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

His clinical research consists of co-authoring 180 peer reviewed articles and participating in 5 clinical trials. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years. In particular, he has co-authored 7 articles in the study of Localized Scleroderma.

Graduate Institution
University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine
Residency
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Specialties
Rheumatology
Licenses
Internal Medicine in MA
Board Certifications
American Board Of Internal Medicine
American Board Of Internal Medicine
Fellowships
National Institutes of Health
Hospital Affiliations
Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside
Languages Spoken
English
Gender
Male

Insurance

Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.

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Accepted insurance plans:

Aetna
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Anthem
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Avalon Health Care
  • MEDICARE PDP
Buckeye Health Plan
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
Capital District Physicians Health
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE PDP
  • OTHER COMMERCIAL
  • OTHER MEDICARE
Cigna
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO
Gateway Health Plan
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Geisinger
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Highmark
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  • HMO
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Humana
  • HMO
  • INDEMNITY
  • POS
  • PPO
Independent Health
  • EPO
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Managed Medicaid
  • OTHER MANAGED MEDICAID
Medicaid
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  • STATE MEDICAID
Medicare
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  • MEDICARE PDP
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Meridian Choice
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
  • OTHER COMMERCIAL
  • OTHER MEDICARE
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
PA Health and Wellness
  • HMO
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
Sunshine Health
  • EPO
  • HMO
The Health Plan
  • HMO
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
UnitedHealthcare
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
UPMC
  • EPO
  • PPO
Wellcare
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE PDP
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
  • OTHER MEDICARE
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
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Locations

UPMC Arthritis and Autoimmunity Center
3601 5th Avenue, Suite 2B, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Call: 412-530-4505

Clinical Research

Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.


5 Clinical Trials

A Phase 1 Open-Label Study to Determine the Safety and Tolerability of AVID200: A Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) Inhibitor, in Patients With Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
A Phase 1 Open-Label Study to Determine the Safety and Tolerability of AVID200: A Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) Inhibitor, in Patients With Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: November 19, 2024
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: AVID200 TGFBeta Inhibitor
Study Phase: Phase 1
Evaluation of Brentuximab Vedotin for Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis BRAVOS: A Phase 1/2 Multicenter Randomized, Double Blinded, Safety Study (ITN075AI)
Evaluation of Brentuximab Vedotin for Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis BRAVOS: A Phase 1/2 Multicenter Randomized, Double Blinded, Safety Study (ITN075AI)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: May 17, 2024
Intervention Type: Biological
Study Drug: Brentuximab vedotin
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Multicenter Trial of a Monoclonal Antibody to CD20 (Rituximab) for the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SSc-PAH)
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Multicenter Trial of a Monoclonal Antibody to CD20 (Rituximab) for the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SSc-PAH)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: February 21, 2023
Intervention Type: Other, Biological, Drug, Diagnostic test
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Associated With Systemic Sclerosis (SSc-PAH): The Effect of DMF on Clinical Disease and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress.
A Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Associated With Systemic Sclerosis (SSc-PAH): The Effect of DMF on Clinical Disease and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress.
Enrollment Status: Terminated
Publish Date: March 17, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial if IL1-TRAP, Rilonacept, in Systemic Sclerosis -A Phase I/II Biomarker Trial
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial if IL1-TRAP, Rilonacept, in Systemic Sclerosis -A Phase I/II Biomarker Trial
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: May 01, 2018
Intervention Type: Other, Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
View 4 Less Clinical Trials

180 Total Publications

Endothelial ADAR1 Deficit Induces the NOCT-IRF7 Axis in Pulmonary Hypertension.
Endothelial ADAR1 Deficit Induces the NOCT-IRF7 Axis in Pulmonary Hypertension.
Journal: Circulation research
Published: December 04, 2025
View All 180 Publications
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Alicia Zbehlik is a Rheumatologist in Morgantown, West Virginia. Dr. Zbehlik is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Localized Scleroderma. Her top areas of expertise are Juvenile Temporal Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Necrotizing Vasculitis, and Eosinophilic Fasciitis. Dr. Zbehlik is currently accepting new patients.

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Areas of Expertise

MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.

Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers

Find Dr. Lafyatis's expertise for a condition
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  • Elite
  • Scleroderma
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Elite
    . Learn about Scleroderma.
    See more Scleroderma experts
  • Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Elite
    . Learn about Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
    See more Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) experts
  • Distinguished
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Distinguished
    . Learn about Pulmonary Fibrosis.
    See more Pulmonary Fibrosis experts
  • Scleroma
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Distinguished
    . Learn about Scleroma.
    See more Scleroma experts
  • Advanced
  • Localized Scleroderma
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Localized Scleroderma.
    See more Localized Scleroderma experts
  • Raynaud Phenomenon
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Raynaud Phenomenon.
    See more Raynaud Phenomenon experts
  • Scleredema
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Advanced
    . Learn about Scleredema.
    See more Scleredema experts
  • Experienced
  • Arthritis
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Arthritis.
    See more Arthritis experts
  • Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE).
    See more Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) experts
  • Dermatomyositis
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Dermatomyositis.
    See more Dermatomyositis experts
  • Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE).
    See more Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) experts
  • Eosinophilic Fasciitis
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Eosinophilic Fasciitis.
    See more Eosinophilic Fasciitis experts
  • Erythromelalgia
    Dr. Lafyatis is
    Experienced
    . Learn about Erythromelalgia.
    See more Erythromelalgia experts
View All 9 Experienced Conditions
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