Lack of awareness among the patients and the medical fraternity on the treatment facilities available for arthritis is the major reason for the aggravation of the disease in most of the patients, feels experts. They pointed out that most of the musculoskeletal problems can be cured by medicinal treatment, if diagnosed at an early stage. Indian rheumatologists should try to bring in a change in the mindset of the patients and medical practitioners so that the patients consult them before they approach an orthopedic surgeon.

Announcing the objectives of the Annual Conference of Indian Rheumatology Association (IRACON 2003), which began here on November 27, Dr Rohini Handa, organizing secretary, IRACON 2003 informed that the conference would work towards building up a team of well-informed rheumatologists not only in big cities but also in small towns. “People think that there is no cure for arthritis and they tend to lump all musculoskeletal disorders together. With the modern advancements, several types of arthritis are curable and many more can be controlled. By having top rheumatologist including 50 odd overseas participants, the conference will help in educating doctors in peripheral areas to the new treatments in this area”, he said.

Rheumatic complaints are very common in the community and constitute a large chunk of family practice. It is not appreciated that arthritis is of over 100 different types and that it is the most common cause of long-term pain and physical disability. The extent of the problem and its impact on society can be understood if one realizes that joint diseases account for half of all chronic conditions in persons aged 65 and over.

“The illness has not been given sufficient thrust in undergraduate medical education. There has to be more chapters on rheumatology to educate future doctors on the treatment modalities that are available”, Dr S J Gupta, rheumatologist, Apollo Hospitals opined.

Contrary to the popular belief, children are prone to get arthritis too. In fact, age is no bar to arthritis and nearly one third of the patients are young. Doctors and lay public alike under appreciate this fact, the experts said.

“It is all too unfortunate to find children with crippling deformities which could have been prevented with timely treatment. In addition, life style changes in the youth and children are also likely to contribute to the burden of rheumatic diseases, notably osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease”, they pointed out.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the current decade as the Bone and Joint Decade. It is a global initiative, which aims to raise awareness about the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders and to promote research in their prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. More than 750 active groups in nearly 80 countries have endorsed the campaign, they explained.

More than 400 rheumatologists from South Asia are attending the conference which is to end on November 30.