Dr. Hanan Al-Rayes, head of the scientific committee of the Saudi Society of Rheumatology (SSR), and consultant, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Armed Forces Hospital in Riyadh, addressing the press conference in Al-Khobar. — Courtesy photo Saudi Gazette report AL-KHOBAR — The head of the scientific committee of the Saudi Society of Rheumatology (SSR) has warned that prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis is not advisable due to many side effects. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Saudi Society of Rheumatology Symposium in Al-Khobar, Dr. Hanan Al-Rayes pointed out that medication meant for the disease should be administered only after proper consultation with a specialist doctor. Al-Rayes, who is a consultant in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Armed Forces Hospital in Riyadh, said the event provided an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals and specialists to exchange views and scientific expertise, as well as acquire 24 hours of continuous medical education accredited by the Saudi Commission for Medical Specialties. She added that the conference, which featured more than 50 local and international speakers, discussed a number of major topics, most importantly, rheumatic diseases in children and adults, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematous, osteoporosis, tribology, vacuities blood, sore muscles and other related diseases.
This year's conference was held with the participation of a high-level delegation from the American College of Rheumatology who presented the latest studies and research on the disease. “Rheumatoid arthritis, a serious disabling disease, is a chronic inflammation arising from the body's immune system and affects the joints, especially small ones in the hands and feet and on both sides of the body, causing severe pain and swelling resulting in erosion of bone and joint deformity in some cases.
It may hurt a number of other vital organs such as the respiratory system, heart and eyes,” said Al-Rayes, adding that “in spite of the great development witnessed by science, rheumatoid arthritis remains a mysterious disease.” Rheumatoid arthritis may affect people of all ages, but is more common in the age group of 40-60 years, and the incidence is about three times more among women than men. Statistics show that the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia remains within the global incidence rate, which is 1 percent of the total population. Al-Rayes said the symptoms of the disease usually continue for a long time, but there are a few cases where the disease is sudden and severe. The symptoms include stiffness in the joints in the morning for a period spanning more than an hour, in addition to the inability to work daily routine such as using a toothbrush and opening the door, fatigue, apathy, physical weakness, low fever and weight loss. There are symptoms that appear on the joints, such as pain, swelling and redness and also difficulty in movement. Al-Rayes emphasized that early diagnosis and treatment of the disease is one of the most important steps that prevent its progression. She noted that there has been significant progress in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the past decade. She also underscored the importance of educating patients and determining the causes and complications possible to limit the negative impact on the patient.
