“It’s in your hands, take action – INFORM”. Message clear, powerful and more relevant than ever.
In a period when Health has become the first and greatest good, the World Arthritis Day is honored at October 12with the aim of promoting information and awareness about rheumatic-musculoskeletal diseases, both for patients and the general public regarding the seriousness of these diseases as well as the crucial importance of valid and timely diagnosis.
It is estimated that there are more than 200 rheumatic-musculoskeletal diseases that affect a quarter of the general population worldwide, people of all ages (even children), men and women, while it has been estimated that a third of the population will at some point in their lives experience some rheumatic-musculoskeletal disease.
In these diseases included the degenerative diseases of the joints and spine (osteoarthritis), inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis) and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, S. Sjögren’s, vasculitis, myositis, etc.).
These diseases are chronic with significant negative effects on themselves patients, them families them and her society in general. Their inadequate treatment leads to chronic pain, significant limitation of daily activities, appearance of permanent disabilities accompanied by poor quality of life and frequent appearance of anxiety and depression.
Despite their severity and increased prevalence, Rheumatic diseases remain largely undiagnosed, their symptoms often ignored or underdiagnosed, even though in the European Union people with Rheumatic-Musculoskeletal Diseases amount to 120,000,000 and in Greece it has been estimated that 26% of the population suffers from some Rheumatic Disease.
People with Rheumatic Diseases are not aware of the opportunities they have for diagnosis and treatment of their symptoms, as in recent years significant progress has been made in their treatment.
So this year World Arthritis Day is focused on understanding the (#RheumaPainPoint) points of weakness in the field of rheumatology, such as the shrinking medical workforce, long wait times for appointments and the lack of understanding of rheumatic diseases by government officials who make the decisions.
THE EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) but also the Hellenic Society of Rheumatology and Professional Association of Rheumatologists of Greece (ΕΡΕ-ΕΠΕΡ), are taking an active role in achieving the goals set by this year’s World Arthritis Day with actions and initiatives for the best possible treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases.
UPDATE
Regarding the activities of ERE-EPERE, visit:
• www.ere.gr
• www.tosomasoumilaei.gr
President ERE-EPERE
Evangelia Kataxakis
Mesogeion 387, 153 43, Ag. Friday, Tel.- Fax: 210-6545243, e-mail: [email protected]
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