New tv ad launched April 2008
A television community service announcement was launched as part of Arthritis Awareness Week 2008.
The 30 second ad highlight the new theme for arthritis awareness, Arthritis: It's your move.
Make the first step in taking control.
Click to view the 30 second version.
Uploaded 21 April 08 |
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Glucosamine and warfarin alert
Glucosamine is widely used for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Recent reports have suggested that it may interact with warfarin and thus make blood less likely to clot. The mechanism for this is uncertain. However, Arthritis Australia recommends that patients on warfarin who are starting or stopping glucosamine should have their INR (blood clotting) checked regularly for the first month. Patients who are on stable doses of both are unlikely to have problems.
Prof. Graeme Jones
Arthritis Australia Medical Director
07 Feb 2008
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Cost of arthritis soars
New study shows rapid increases in the impact of arthritis on individuals, carers and taxpayers. The good news, according to the research is that investment in prevention and treatment is highly cost effective.
“The figures are stark,” claims Dr Mona Marabani, President of Arthritis Australia who commissioned the study. “Just under four million Australians have arthritis and if you’re over 80, the chances of having arthritis are one in two. Of the $24 billion that arthritis costs each year in health care, lost time at work, shortened lives and years spent with disability, more than 60% is borne by the people with arthritis themselves,” says Dr Marabani who is a practising rheumatologist.
“This won’t surprise anyone who lives with arthritis,” says Judith Nguyen who has severe rheumatoid arthritis. “People tend to think of the elderly when arthritis is mentioned but there are tens of thousands of young people who have it too. Without effective treatment we face pain, disability, psychological distress and – to be frank – financial hardship because of the effects on our ability to be productive members of the community.”
“We estimate that there are 3.85 million Australians living with arthritis in 2007. This is a rise of about 700,000 people in just six years,” says Lynne Pezzullo, a Director of Access Economics, who performed the study and who did a similar analysis in 2004 and 2001. “More than half of these people are of working age. And as far as costs are concerned, at $23.9 billion in 2007, it’s a $4 billion increase on our last estimate just three years ago.”
“Australia has several National Health Priorities, and arthritis was put on the list in 2002,” explains Dr Marabani. “But the Access Economics study shows that there are more people with arthritis than any of the other priority conditions. Yet because arthritis isn’t perceived to kill people, it’s not taken as seriously – and this must change.”
“I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 30 years ago. Fortunately I had an early diagnosis and, with the help of my GP, rheumatologist and family, began a lifelong management program. I’ve had seven joint replacements which have enabled me to work and live a fulfilling life. However, I have paid a price – personally and financially – as have my employers and the public and private healthcare systems,” says Judith Nguyen.
“The recent development of biologic medicines offers a more positive outlook for people recently diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. Clinical evidence suggests their timely usage may arrest joint damage and consequent disability, allowing them to lead a meaningful life as well as avoid ongoing and costly health services,” she added.
“What the Access Economics study has shown unequivocally is that prevention strategies are possible and there are many cost effective treatments available, from joint replacement surgery to high technology medications which alter the immune system to pain relievers and obesity reduction,” argues Dr Marabani.
“Urgent attention must be given to reducing the physical, emotional, work-related and economic impacts of arthritis. A total support system must be implemented to ensure all Australians, irrespective of location and earning capacity, have access to prevention strategies and proper medical attention to manage symptoms and/or reduce joint damage. As well as the broader community, education and prevention must include Specialists, GPs, Pharmacists and allied health care professionals.
“The social and economic benefits are self evident: fewer adverse symptoms = improved quality of life = less national economic burden,” Dr Marabani added.
On the basis of this Report, Arthritis Australia is calling for three measures that will move things forward -
• Building on resources and education programs for GPs and other health professionals so they have the knowledge to diagnose and refer early. As well, increased programs in rural/remote Australia to equip health professionals and patients in understanding and managing arthritis.
• Medicare rebates for chronic disease management to be increased – for example, criteria to allow for more than five allied service visits (i.e. physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, etc).And to allow tapping into private practitioners to meet the needs of people in the community - in the same way Medicare rebates have been provided for psychologists and social workers for people with depression. There are not enough physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the public sector to meet the demands of people with arthritis so we need to be able to use the resources of the private sector – to do this we need Medicare rebates.
• There are some newer medications on the market which are highly effective - they can prevent joint damage in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Currently the criteria to allow PBS subsidy for these medications is very narrow which means that many people are missing out on access to them, risking unnecessary disability.
Background
Arthritis
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis but the most common are osteoarthritis (OA), which is largely due to wear and tear; gout, where crystals of a substance called uric acid are deposited in some joints like those in the big toe; rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis which are autoimmune conditions; and rarer forms of arthritis usually secondary to other problems like psoriasis.
Arthritis Australia
As the peak body for arthritis, Arthritis Australia is responsible for promoting awareness, early diagnosis and early intervention to improve and preserve sufferers’ quality of life. In collaboration with its state and territory Affiliates it is providing a range of awareness, education and support services, as well as managing a national arthritis research program. However, gaps in service delivery have been identified and action and funding is being sought to build capacity and reduce incidence and associated costs. Priorities include:
o Increasing consumer knowledge of treatments available and improving access to allied health services
o Ensuring quality use of medicines as well as access to appropriate medications to arrest joint damage
o Strengthening capacity to meet consumer needs
Access Economics study: ‘Painful Realities’
This is an extensive economic analysis using a host of reliable data sources and research evidence and updates their last study done for Arthritis Australia in 2004.
o In 2007, Access Economics estimates that there are 3.85 million Australians with arthritis (nearly 1 in 5 Australians), including 1.62 million with osteoarthritis (OA) and 0.51 million with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
o Overall, arthritis was more prevalent among women, with 19.9% of women estimated to have some form of arthritis in 2007 compared to 17.1% of men.
o An estimated 61.3% of people with OA and 57.1% of people with RA are women.
o 62% or 2.4 million of those with arthritis are in the working age population (15-64).
o Prevalence rates among men are broadly correlated with age, peaking at 50% for the over-85s.
o Obesity is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis; obese people are around 2.4 times as likely to have OA as people of normal weight, while overweight people are 35% more likely to have OA. Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 and obesity as BMI over 30. BMI is the ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of height in metres.
o If obesity continued to grow at the rates witnessed over the last ten years, by 2050, 46.6% of men and 34.8% of women would be obese.
o Access Economics estimates that in 2007 the allocated health system expenditure associated with arthritis is $4.2 billion - $1,100 per person with arthritis.
o In 2007, the total cost of arthritis is estimated to be $23.9 billion, of which almost half is the value of the loss of healthy life.
o Access Economics estimates that in 2007 the total cost of informal
care for people with arthritis is $1.01 billion. This equates to $262 per person with arthritis in 2007.
Click here to read the full report
Click here to read the executive summary
Media contact: Maggie Lanham on Ph 02 9975 7569 or 0412 281277.
Uploaded 14 August 2007 |
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Lumiracoxib (Prexige) withdrawn from Australian market
Australia's medicines Regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has cancelled the registration of the osteoarthritis drug Lumiracoxib because of serious liver side effects associated with the use of the drug.
If you have been taking Prexige we recommend you comply with the TGA's advice which is to stop taking immediately and to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.
You can return any remaining medication to your pharmacist and receive a refund.
Please refer to the following media releases for more information.
Therapeutic Goods Administration media release
Novartis media release
Uploaded 13 August 2007 |
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Tai Chi can ease osteoarthritis
Both water-based exercise and the Chinese practice of Tai Chi can help older people with severe arthritis move and feel better, researchers from Australia report.
Among men and women 60 and older with chronic osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, a study conducted by Dr Marlene Fransen (University of Sydney) and Professor John Edmonds (St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW) found that those who participated in 12 weeks of hydrotherapy or Tai Chi experienced significant improvements in pain and physical function scores.
The researchers randomly assigned 152 people to hydrotherapy, the special ‘Tai Chi for Arthritis’ (Dr Paul Lam) program, or a waiting group. Classes lasted an hour and were offered twice a week. After 12 weeks, there were significant improvements on scores measuring pain and physical function in both groups. Both groups also showed improvements in physical performance scores, but these improvements were only significant from a statistical standpoint in the hydrotherapy group.
At 24 weeks, all improvements had been sustained, and were comparable with those demonstrated in studies of traditional land-based exercise for arthritis patients, the researchers noted.
Interestingly, study participants in the hydrotherapy group were more likely to attend sessions than those assigned to Tai Chi. They also experienced significant improvements in measurements of physical performance, such as ability to climb stairs and walk, which weren't seen in the Tai Chi group.
"Hydrotherapy classes appeared to be more acceptable (higher attendance) in this older Caucasian group of patients, appeared to provide greater relief of joint pain, and resulted in larger improvements in objective measurements of physical performance," Dr Fransen and her team conclude in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Among the hydrotherapy group, 81 per cent attended 12 or more of the 24 available classes, compared to 61 per cent of those assigned to Tai Chi. Just one of the study participants was Asian, while the rest were Caucasian, which may have made them less accepting of the Tai Chi. In addition, Tai Chi requires participants to stand with knees slightly bent, which can be difficult for many people with chronic knee pain.
For more information about osteoarthritis click here.
14 May 2007
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New tv ad launched April 2008