Qatar hosts 8th Pan Arab Rheumatology Conference

Under the patronage of H.H Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation of Education, Science and Community Development and wife of H.H Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, The 8th Pan Arab Rheumatology Society Conference is set to take place in Doha, Qatar, at the Sheraton Resort & Convention Hotel between the 22nd and 24th of January, 2008.

The congress, headed by Chairman Dr. Mohammed Hammoudeh, Consultant Rheumatologist at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar and sponsored by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, aims to bring together international and regional experts to shed light on the recent advances in the treatment and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

As part of its continuous effort to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis in the Arab world, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is supporting over 100 Arab rheumatologists to attend and present the latest developments in this year's congress.

"One of the new topics that the organizing committee is looking forward to introducing this year is a session entitled, 'Rheumatology in the Arab World'. This session will explore the different aspects of rheumatic diseases in the region focusing on clinical, genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic issues and will compare them to the Western world." said Dr. Hammoudeh.

"We are looking forward to being exposed to the research done, and to discussing in depth how rheumatic diseases are developing in the Arab region. It will enable us as professionals to diagnose and treat the disease accurately."

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), affects one in every hundred people in the Middle East and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), worldwide prevalence is estimated at more than 20 million people in 2004. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability among adults.

Dr. Redha Ibrahim, Consultant Rheumatologist & Head of Rheumatology Department in Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain adds, "The management of rheumatoid conditions in the Middle East continues to be challenging. This meeting brings together the region's leading specialists in a forum that promotes the sharing of knowledge."

Dr. Muhammad Khan, a Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, USA, suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). At the congress, he will be presenting a session entitled 'Unmasking AS and Guidelines of Management'.

"Ankylosing Spondylitis is an extremely painful rheumatic disease involving the spine. This condition is particularly prevalent among the older population, but researchers are amazed at the sudden increase in the number of children suffering from this serious bone condition," said Dr. Khan

A number of other rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, Behcet's disease and lupus, will be presented and discussed. This year, the congress is going to focus more on Juvenile Arthritis (JA); a condition used to categorize different types of arthritis affecting children. The most common type of JA is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

Prof. Dr. Khaled Al Saeid, Pediatric Rheumatology, Kuwait University, Kuwait, concludes, "I am looking forward to attending the congress this year. JA is a commonly misdiagnosed disease because the symptoms are often deceiving. It is common for children to experience 'growing pains' but symptoms of joint aches and pains that last for weeks are unusual. Parents who notice these symptoms in children should consult their family physician. If JRA is diagnosed in the early stages, there is a chance to slow the rate of joint destruction."