“… do you have swelling and morning stiffness in the joints or pain and morning stiffness in the lower back and the discomfort lasts for days? Do you have a rash, dry mouth, dry eyes and other “weird” symptoms? Can’t you hear the bells? Your body hurts, your body talks… Visit the rheumatologist and get informed! Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will help you deal with rheumatic diseases effectively!”

This is the message of this year’s information and awareness campaign of the Hellenic Society of Rheumatology and Professional Association of Rheumatology of Greece (ΕΡΕ – ΕΠΕΡΕ) for today’s World Arthritis Day.

The aim of the information campaign is to raise public awareness by spreading the message about the importance of early diagnosis, as well as systematic follow-up by the rheumatologist, for the effective treatment of rheumatic diseases. The rheumatologist is the specialist doctor who will be able to make a timely diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatments to improve the clinical symptoms and restore the particularly burdened quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Arthritis is one of the most frequent manifestations of rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases

Arthritis, i.e. inflammation of the joints, is manifested by pain, swelling, heat and characteristic prolonged morning stiffness of one or more joints, symptoms lasting more than two weeks. Arthritis is one of the most frequent manifestations of rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases. There are more than 200 rheumatic diseases and they affect people of all ages (even children) and both sexes.

It is estimated to affect 1/4 of the population of developed countries at some point in their lives. In Europe alone, 120 million people suffer from rheumatic diseases and many of them remain undiagnosed, while in Greece it has been estimated that 26% of the population suffers from some rheumatic-musculoskeletal condition.

Rheumatic diseases include degenerative joint and spine diseases (osteoarthritis), inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, vasculitis, myositis, etc.) .etc.) and metabolic arthritis (from uric acid crystals etc.).

However, apart from the inflammation in the joints, patients may also present other symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, dry eyes, etc. Rheumatic diseases are systemic diseases and affect other organs of the body, such as the kidneys, lungs, heart, and even the central nervous system. They are chronic diseases, with significant negative effects on the patients themselves, their families and society in general. They affect their quality of life, i.e. their daily life, family, professional and, by extension, their social life. EPE – EPERE emphasizes that a critical factor for the successful treatment of rheumatic diseases is early diagnosis and their immediate and correct treatment.

The role of prevention and early diagnosis

Referring to the role of the rheumatologist and the importance of early diagnosis for the effective treatment of rheumatic diseases, the president of EPE – EPERE, dr. Dimitris Karokis, explains: “The biggest challenge today for the rheumatologist is the early diagnosis of the rheumatic disease and the application of the correct treatment, with the aim of avoiding permanent damage to the joints, as well as to other organs of the body, and consequent avoidance of permanent disability. In this context, it is very important for the patient to see the rheumatologist on time, either on his own initiative or through a referral from a doctor of another specialty (general practitioner, pathologist, orthopedist, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, etc.). Despite the fact that the “patient journey” has improved significantly, the course cannot be described as satisfactory. Many international as well as Greek studies recognize the fact of the long delay in referring the patient to the specialist and/or the wrong diagnosis. Typically, the delay in referral to a rheumatologist can range from several months to a few years…”.

In recent years, as the president of EPE – EPERE adds, significant progress has been achieved in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and now the medical community has at its disposal several treatment options that significantly improve symptoms, while preventing structural damage and contributing to functionality and patients’ quality of life. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of the doctor-patient relationship for the effective treatment of rheumatic diseases. “It is an important factor for the patient and the rheumatologist to establish a stable relationship of trust, to be in regular communication, to evaluate the progress of the treatment and to re-evaluate the treatment goals in a timely manner, if necessary,” he points out.