One in five is affected by the disease in UAE

To mark World Arthritis Day which falls on October 12, the Middle East Arthritis Foundation will host its annual awareness event, ‘Don’t delay, connect today’. The event aims to raise awareness about the condition which affects millions of people globally and one in five in the UAE. The event will include a free ultrasound scanning, bone density test, a motivational session with a life coach, a session on healthy eating and managing stress.

Dr Badsha explained that the figures from the Gulf region suggest that the prevalence is 20 per cent of the population. Moreover, the number of people aged over 50 years is expected to double by 2020 and the burden of musculoskeletal diseases is also expected to rise.

“These conditions are a leading cause of absence from work and account for 20 per cent of health utilisation costs. Rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, is a chronic inflammatory arthritis with a higher likelihood of permanent disability.”

In the UAE alone, studies have shown a delay in diagnosis of 12 months due to lack of awareness of the disease. With early diagnosis, treatment deformity and disability can be prevented.

“It is vital that we listen to the constantly evolving needs of people living with arthritis and other chronic conditions to help reduce their pain and improve their quality of life.”