Despite occurrence over a small percentage of the population, rare diseases are often chronic and life-threatening. Around five new rare diseases are described in medical literature every week. Attention to the special challenges faced by these patients has been sought internationally by an annual Rare Disease Day on the last day of each February.
The International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11: https://icd.who.int/en) developed by the World Health Organization includes some 5500 rare diseases and their synonyms. The rare diseases are regularly updated, in close collaboration and conceptual identity with Orphanet. The work is also linked to the "WHO Collaborative Global Network 4 Rare Diseases".
Given the elevating awareness and concern over the management of these diseases, AME Medical Journal now opens new grounds for the studies of rare diseases. Any articles that encourage new understanding, solid theory, debate, controversy, and reflection on any kind of rare disease are welcome.