First rheumatology conference aims to stop arthritis in its tracks

A study conducted by the Dubai Bone and Joint Center (DBAJ) has found that most patients experienced a significant delay in diagnosis, an average of 11 months for rheumatoid arthritis and up to 30 months for other kinds of arthritis, said Dr. Humeira Badsha, specialist rheumatologist at DBAJ and conference chair.

Many of the patients surveyed presented with debilitating joint damage and deformities, which could have been prevented if patients had received the right treatments in a timely manner, she said.

"The prevalence rates for arthritis are about the same here as the rest of the world, but the awareness is far less," Dr. Badsha said in advance of the two-day conference, which begins tomorrow (Wednesday, January 31) as part of the Arab Health 2007 scientific congress and exhibition.

"Patients are presenting at later stages, which makes treatment less effective and more difficult, and restricted primarily to damage control."

The study found that only 42 per cent of patients in the UAE were on the right treatment, compared with 80 per cent in the United States. A related study also detected a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency in the UAE, leading to poor bone health and increased risk of related disorders such as osteoporosis in national women. Osteoporosis affects about 75 per cent of post-menopausal women locally.

The conference aims to increase awareness of arthritis and related disorders, and their prevention, among physicians and patients.

"We believe a multi-pronged strategy will accomplish our goals of early diagnosis, effective treatment and the use of the best available technologies," Dr. Badsha said. "During the conference, we want to educate general practitioners and family doctors on how to recognize and manage these diseases early and appropriately, to enable rheumatologists to adopt best practices by providing opportunities for interaction with experts from around the world; and to raise awareness among patients with a series of outreach events."

Visitors to the Arab Health exhibition and congress, which continues until February 1 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, will be able to try on a purpose-built 'arthritis suit,' that lets the wearer experience arthritis first-hand.

The two-day Rheumatology Conference includes special sessions on inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis in the Arab world, and a special hands-on joint injection workshop for 100 primary care physicians.

It is one of 16 conferences scheduled for Arab Health 2007, and accredited by the American Academy of Continuing Medical Education.

The Arab Health medical congress and exhibition is recognized as the largest and most important events in the global healthcare calendar, and is expected to draw 4,500 delegates, 30,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibiting companies.