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Leading international and local health professionals attending the Australian Rheumatology Association conference are urging the early and accurate diagnosis of arthritis so permanent joint damage can be minimised.
"A number of significant advances in the drug management of rheumatoid and allied forms of arthritis have been made in recent years, showing that it is now possible to prevent permanent structural damage, provided such treatment is administered within the first few years after disease onset," said conference convener Dr Janet Roddy.
"The new goals of treatment are to not only treat the pain and inflammation, but also to act early enough to actually halt damage to the joints and prevent serious structural changes.
"Because between 50 and 70 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis patients have significant, irreversible joint damage in the first two years of disease onset, early diagnosis and intervention is critical," Dr Roddy said.
The 48th Annual Scientific Conference of the Australian Rheumatology Association was held in Perth on 20 to 24 May 2006.
Topics included optimal treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma and osteoarthritis as well as managing chronic pain in rheumatic disease.
Visit the conference website www.araconference.com for more information.
24 May, 2006 |
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