MKRMS seminar: Early diagnosis can help treat arthritis

LAHORE: When a disease increases from a specific level, it starts damaging the whole body internally. There are many types of arthritis. Every type has its own specific procedure for diagnosis and treatment.

If a patient is diagnosed and treated wrongly, they can become disabled for whole life. This disease brutally attacks the minor joints of the body. When the problem reaches its peak, medicine cannot cure it, and then surgery has to be performed to save the patient's life. Joints pain is very common in Pakistan. There is no age limit to catch this ailment. People ignore the symptoms of arthritis and avoid seeing a qualified doctor.

These views were expressed by the speakers at a seminar titled "It's Time for Arthritis Awareness", organised by Pakistan Society for Rheumatology, Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (MKRMS),Jang Group of Newspapers and Arthritis Care Foundation.

Kinnaird College former Principal and Punjab Ombudswoman Dr Mira Phailbus was the chief guest of the event.

Prof Dr Nighat Mir Ahmad (Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore), Prof Dr Sumaira Framan Raja (Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore), Dr Mehfooz Alam (Agha Khan Hospital, Karachi), Dr Muhammad Ahmad Saeed (Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore), Dr Iflaq Rasheed (Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Lahore), Dr Tajwar Sabir (Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar), Dr Babar Saleem (Fouji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi), Dr Ghulam Shabeer (Medicare Hospital, Multan), Dr Afzal Hamdani (Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore), Dr Terence Gibson and Dr Samina Ghaznavi were among the panel of experts. MKRMS Chairman Wasif Nagi was the host and moderator of the seminar.

Dr Mira Phailbus said, "It is a very alarming situation as there are only 50 rheumatologists in Pakistan. The population is increasing day by day, and with this ratio, 3,000 rheumatologists were even less for the patients. These doctors are only approachable for the elite society of Pakistan because they alone cannot entertain the patients of small villages. Every small city should have at least one rheumatologist. The government should distribute wheelchairs free-of-cost among the disabled persons. With this step, we can reduce their daily sufferings."

Prof Dr Nighat Mir Ahmad said, "The younger generation is falling prey to rheumatoid arthritis more. This type of arthritis can attack a person between the age of 10 and 60 years. Joints pain is very common in men and women. It has many symptoms.

This disease starts with small joints. If the pain lasts for several days, the patients should quickly consult a qualified doctor. If the right diagnosis is done, treatment procedure can last for one year. Late diagnosis can causes disability."

Prof Dr Sumaira Framan Raja said, "Pakistan's 40 percent population consists of the youngsters, aged 14 years or less. It means that half of the population consists of children. There are six types of joints problem faced by the children. Sometimes, at the time of birth, a temporary infection can occur but it is not permanent. Rheumatic fever causes bruises on the joints, and the growth of the bones can get disturbed. It is curable. Most of the children face this problem due to lack of vitamins. Parents should contact doctors as soon as they observe any abnormality in children."

Dr Muhammad Ahmad Saeed said, "Lupus is an autoimmune disease. It can damage skin, kidneys and blood vessels. There is also a chance of heart attack in this disease. This disease can be diagnosed only by a qualified doctor. It is a very sad reality that there are only 50 rheumatologists in our country."

Dr Terence Gibson said, "Osteoarthritis is a very common disease. It can affect the routine life of an elderly person. Joints of knees are affected mostly by this disease. This disease can be inherited also. Joints of hands can also be damaged in this disease."

Dr Mehfooz Alam said, "In ankylosing spondylitis, the joints of the back and hip get affected. A youngster should not ingnor their joints pain as it can be dangerous for future. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be curable."

Wasif Nagi said, "It is very important to take care of yourselves because treatment is getting very expensive nowadays. Not everyone can afford treatment. People should control their weight and stop eating junk food. MKRMS has been organising the seminars since 1992. We have organised more than 700 seminars for the sole purpose of creating awareness among the masses.

Dr Iflaq Rasheed said, "Scleroderma is the disease of joints. It can also cause the problems of skin, chest, stomach and intestine. Due to these problems, a patient can have severe pain and suffering. It can also cause blood pressure disturbance and damage the kidney function."

Dr Babar Saleem said, "Joints pain can cause stiffness in the bones of people. When people approach us, their joints are already damaged, and surgery is the only solution. In this disease, treatment can be long, but, if the patient takes medicine regularly, they can start their normal life again."

Dr Tajwar Sabir said, "Osteoporosis damages the bones. And this disease is being observed more in women than men. Weight gain is also the main cause of this disease. It is also called silent disease. In older age, women's backbones get crooked so everyone should do exercise regularly."

Dr Ghulam Shabeer said, "Many good and effective medicines are available in the market. Excessive use of alcohol can also cause this problem."

Dr Afzal Hamdani said, "Psoriasis is a skin disease and 30 to 35 percent of its patients can also get the joints pain. This is a non-transferrable disease. We should take care of our skin as well."

Dr Samina Ghaznavi said, "Lack of vitamin D is a big problem now compared to the earlier days. We should use milk and dairy products in our daily meal. This disease can also cause depression. We should eat well and live a healthy life."

Musharraf Khawaja said his son was a patient of joints pain, but with a proper treatment, he is totally fine now. Everyone should consult a qualified doctor and avoid quacks.