KOCHI: World Arthritis Day is the time to remember people suffereing from Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease (RMD), a condition which has affected millions of people across the globe.
The tradition of observing World Arthritis Day began in 1996 to raise awareness of the disease which has debilitated the quality of life for these patients. One of the reasons why arthritis has shown a subsequent increase is the increased life expectancy of people owing to better medical facilities.
The worst of the lot
There are more than 100 varieties of arthritis of which Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most disabling one. Around 10 per cent of men and 18 per cent of women above the age of 60 years has Osteoarthritis. Arthritis is accompanied by some common symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue difficulty in moving limbs, pain in the joint, poor sleep, malaise muscles, weakness and so on .Factors increasing the risk of developing rheumatic disease include increasing age, smoking, excessive weight, predispose, genetic diseases, occupation with high risk of in injury and over use of joints.
Established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and managed by European league against rheumatism (EULAR), the aim of World Arthritis Day in not only to raise awareness but also to influence public policy and to inform those living with RMDs as well as their care givers of the support network available to them .
Arthritis and its global impact
In India, around 15 per cent of the total population are affected by thes diseases which total to about 180 million people. According to 2007 European union survey it was found that 22 per cent of the population had experienced the problem of rheumatism and arthritis.
The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis varies between 0.3 per cent and 1 per cent and is more common in women as well as in developed countries. Of those affected with rheumatoid arthritis, at least 50 per cent patients are unable to hold on to a full time job.
Even though Arthritis has such an adverse effect on our day to day activates and quality of life, common man is not aware about the disease, its complications and the latest treatment available to them. So our goal should be to chart a winning cause in guidance familiar in developing personal plans for living a full life and making each day another stride towards a cure. This year World Arthritis day theme is ‘It’s in your hands-take action’.
Dr Muhammad Nazeer, Sr Consultant & Coordinator
Orthopedics & Trauma , KIMS Hospital