Lower back pain – recognise the red flags
Experts at Rheumatology 2010 discuss the importance of knowing when to refer a patient to a specialist
Dubai, UAE – 10 October, 2010: Up to 80 per cent of the world’s population will suffer from lower back pain (LBP) at some point, with 90 per cent of patients experiencing mechanical reasons for this pain, and only 10 per cent experiencing symptoms caused by systematic illness.
“The majority of first time patients will go to a non-rheumatic medical professional to seek treatment for LBP, which is fine for 90 per cent of patients,” says Dr Ayman Mofti, director of the Al Biraa Arthritis Clinic who discussed the expert approach to lower back pain at Day 1 of the Emirates Rheumatology Conference. “Doctors must be on the look out for the 10 per cent of patients who need a specialist treatment plan.
“Doctors must be aware that 50 per cent of patients get better on their own within a month, no matter what treatment or pain management the patient receives for LBP. And up to 90 per cent get better within two months. Only 10 per cent go on to suffer from chronic illness. These patients must be identified at an early stage as misdiagnosis is common and can lead to complications if left undiagnosed. A proper patient history will build a foundation for diagnosis and effective treatment plan.”
The 3rd Annual Rheumatology Exhibition and Congress opened today at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai and will continue on the 11 and 12, October, 2010.The event, organised byIIR Middle East’s Life Science Division, is run in association with the Emirates Society of Rheumatology and is supported by Friends of Arthritis Patients, The Arthritis Centre and the Emirates Arthritis Foundation.
The Emirates Rheumatology Conference will cover the latest in developments and treatments for rheumatic diseases in the region, featuring international experts covering an array of conference topics including pain management, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, joint replacement, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other connective tissue diseases.
“Musculoskeletal problems account for the highest number of visits to physicians and are also a leading cause of disability,” says Dr. Waleed Al Shehhi, President of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR). “This conference brings together leading experts from hospitals in the US, Europe and Middle East to discuss advances in arthritis and related conditions, such as lower back pain, and to ensure patients can be diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment.”
The Emirates Rheumatology Conference will be running a free to attend forum for insurance companies to reduce the burden of arthritis. This forum will run from 9am to 12.30pm on 12th October, 2010.
A Patient Awareness forum, organised by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation and open to patients, will run in English and Arabic simultaneously from 6pm to 9pm on 12th October, 2010, and experts will be looking at Lupus, biologic treatments, nutrition, Oriental Medicine and Thai Chi.
Running along side the Congress is a multinational exhibition showcasing exhibitors from around the globe including industry leaders such as Novartis, MSD, Abbott, Roche and GE Healthcare. As Gold sponsors of the event, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD) is committed to the field of Rheumatology.
“One of our main objectives is supporting the continuous medical education (CME) programs like the ESR Rheumatology Congress,” says Nancy Toema, Brand and Customer Manager, MSD. “This years meeting is very up to date; this helps in increasing awareness of the New Biologic Therapies which are considered as a revolution in the treatment of the Rheumatoid Arthritis. These updates help the physicians to change the patients’ lives by controlling their disease and improving their quality of life, which will reflect on the whole community.”
Trade visitors have unlimited access to the exhibition from 8.30am to 5.30pm, 10 - 12 October 2010, at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, Dubai. Patients and insurance companies can also attend for free on 12 October 2010.
For more information about Rheumatology Exhibition and Congress, please call +971 4 407 2743 or visit www.rheumatologyme.com.
Arthritis symptoms aggravated by Gulf climate
Rheumatology symposium to examine latest updates on fighting the disease
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 9 August, 2010:
Increasing rates of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in the UAE, illnesses of an inactive and overeating society, are having a negative impact on those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. While the link between obesity and rheumatic disease may be commonly known, certain environmental conditions such as heat and humidity can also have an adverse effect on rheumatoid arthritis. At the Emirates Rheumatology Conference, which will be held from 10 – 12 of October, 2010, as part of the 3rd annual Rheumatology Exhibition and Congress, doctors will be stressing the importance of education and awareness and also paying special attention to the role lifestyle management plays in fighting the disease.
According to Dr. Humeira Badsha, consultant rheumatologist at Al Biraa Arthritis and Bone Clinic (ABABC) and secretary of Emirates Society for Rheumatology, there are more than a 100 different types of arthritis, and an estimated 20 per cent of the population in the Gulf region is affected by some form of rheumatic disease. Dr Badsha will be chairing the Emirates Rheumatology Conference.
Obesity is a risk factor for both rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease and it can cause, and be caused by, rheumatoid arthritis. Obesity can result from some of the treatments doctors give to rheumatoid arthritis patients and of course, obesity can result from the relative inactivity due to joint damage.
According to Dr. Badsha, every kilo increase in weight above the normal will increase the stress on joints by five fold. “This is an increasing problem in the UAE and people need to be more active and lose weight in order to manage the pain and control the symptoms.”
“Heat and humidity can also cause the joints to swell more and can worsen the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis,” said Dr Badsha. “In addition, being in an air conditioned environment can worsen problems of vitamin D deficiency. When patients stay indoors all day they do not get vitamin D from the sun and this can cause vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency leads to osteoporosis, weak muscles and autoimmune diseases.”
There are many new treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis which can put the disease into remission. “The aim of the treatment is to completely halt the progression of the disease and to prevent deformities and joint damage,” said Dr Badsha. “Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis hinge on disease modifying drugs which seek to correct the overactive immune system. These include tablets such as Methotrexate and can also include the newer biological agents. There are many biological drugs which have revolutionised the care of rheumatoid arthritis and these include Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Mabthera, Orencia and even newer ones such as Actemra and Simponi. All of these correct the immune system disorder and can induce disease remission, prevent disability and preserve normal joints.”
The Emirates Rheumatology Conference will cover the latest in developments and treatments for rheumatic diseases in the region, featuring international experts covering an array of conference topics including pain management, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, joint replacement, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other connective tissue diseases.
Trade visitors have unlimited access to the exhibition from 8.30am to 5.30pm, 10 - 12 October, 2010, at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, Dubai.
For more information about the Emirates Rheumatology Conference please call +971 4 407 2743 or visit www.rheumatologyme.com.
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Note to Editors About IIR Middle East: For more information about IIR Middle East, please visit www.iirme.com. About Emirates Society for Rheumatology: For more information about ESR, please visit www.ema.ae For media enquiries please contact: Inga Stevens PR Manager Life Science Division IIR Middle East T: +971 4 407 2743 F: +971 4 336 4021 inga.stevens@iirme.com