All you need to know about Arthritis

October 12 is World Arthritis Day. Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey finds out more about this potentially debilitating disease.

Arthritis comes from the Greek 'arthro' for joint and - 'itis' for inflammation, and is a simple sounding term for a group of diseases that covers more than 100 different forms, each with a different cause. Worldwide, several hundreds of million of people suffer from one form of arthritis or another.

In the UAE alone the disease is estimated to affect some 800,000 people - that's 20 per cent of the population.

According to Dr Humeira Badsha, Specialist Rheumatologist of the Dubai Bone and Joint Center (04-3302000), that number is set to increase even more as the number of people over 50 years old is expected to double by 2020.

The most common musculoskeletal conditions with the greatest impact on society are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, osteoporosis, and limb trauma.

These conditions are a leading cause of absence from work, reasons for disability pensions, and account for 20 per cent of health utilisation costs.

What are the different types of arthritis?
Dr Humeira explains, "Arthritis can affect people from two months old to 90 years old. However, some of the worst or most disabling forms affect young people from ages 20 to 50 years.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis and affects mainly older people.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body's immune system activity. It is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women, whereas gout affects mostly men.

It is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe. Fortunately, gout can almost always be completely controlled with medication and changes in diet.

Early symptoms to watch out for in either type are joint swelling, stiffness (especially in the morning), deformities or creaking joints.

What's the treatment?
There is no cure for arthritis, but very effective treatment can prevent joint damage and disability. There are many types of medication which can help patients live a normal life and treat the symptoms effectively.

The earlier a diagnosis of arthritis is made, the higher the chances for successful treatment.

How can you prevent arthritis?
The best way to try and prevent arthritis is by weight control and exercise. "Generally, we recommend that patients with arthritis eat a healthy, well balanced diet, low in saturated fats, and high in calcium and vitamins," says Dr Humeira.

"In the case of gout, there is an excessive uric acid level in the blood. Gout can result from a diet rich in alcohol, red meats, organ meats, sardines or shell fish."

She says there is no evidence that rheumatoid arthritis is worsened by certain foods, but some research shows that omega oils from fish and evening primrose oil can benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

"People with wear and tear (osteoarthritis) arthritis can benefit immensely from weight loss," says Dr Humeira.

Support
The Emirates Arthritis Foundation (04-3300444) has been set up to help sufferers through a variety of patient education sessions as well as exercise programmes such as yoga and aqua-aerobics.

The foundation's Cathy Liebman says, "It is a known fact that if you are not treated for your rheumatoid arthritis, you could be disabled within ten years. We wish to support such patients, so they can continue as active members of the community, and maintain their self-worth as they help provide for their families."

For more information, log on to www.arthritis.ae. There is a forum where friends, patients and supporters can ask questions.

Arthritis Month
EAF will be holding an Arthritis Month, ending on October 12, 2008.