Consultants of arthritics claimed that Pakistan's one-third population, in the age of 50, are arthritis patients. More than 4.5 million people are arthritics in Karachi alone, they said in a seminar on "Update on management of arthritis/ immunologic disorders" organised by Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) here on Saturday.
The seminar followed by a panel discussion by Professor Asim Khan, Rheumatologist, Dr Raza Jafry, Rheumatologist, Dr Shahid Noor, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Shahab Ghani, Hand Surgeon.
The aim of the seminar was to inform the doctors about the new outlook of the arthritics which called Rheumatology which discussed that the all joint pains do not link to arthritics.
Professor Asim Khan, Consultant Rheumatologist and Professor of the Medicine Case Western Reserve School of Medicine Cleveland, Ohio was the chief guest on the occasion.
He informed that the therapy has changed the outlook of the disease. The patients can have significant improvement in this joint symptom by biologic agents.
Dr Asim said joint pains are now curable. The new medicine overcome this disease. This new medicine is used in the western countries but is not common in our country. These drugs are relatively safe but have to be used under the supervision of the experienced physicians.
Dr Raza said, in past every joint patient called arthritic but now rheumatologist categorise the patient in treatment.
He emphasised that the patient must do daily exercise and maintain the weight. This disease happens only to the over-weight persons.
The balanced diet and Vietnam-D is most important in this disease.