On October 12, World Arthritis Day is celebrated in many countries by the initiative of the World Health Organization aimed at raising public awareness of arthritis, uniting the efforts of doctors and patients in the fight against rheumatologic diseases. Prof. Vadim A. AKHMEDOV, MD, PhD, Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Postgraduate Course), has answered the questions about arthritis.
- Doctor, what are the risk factors for arthritis?
- Old age is associated with changes in cartilage surfaces, so the elderly patients fall into the risk group in the first place. Excessive weight puts an extra load on the joints. Professional athletes fall into another risk group, and often arthritis manifests in the post-training period of their lives when the career is already over. Of course, the risk group includes people engaged in heavy physical labor associated with a standing position. The development of osteoporosis, reduced intake of calcium and vitamins contribute to the progression of arthritis and other joint diseases. And, unfortunately, women are more vulnerable to this condition than men.
- Arthritis has traditionally been considered an age-related disease, but is it true that more and more younger patients suffer from it?
- Yes, it is true, and it is primarily due to the rising prevalence of obesity among young people. Nowadays, we see overweight patients in their thirties, and by the age of 45, they already have a long-term overload on their joints by an excess fatty tissue, which accelerates the natural aging process in the joints.
- Is it possible to prevent the disease?
- Yes, it is achievable by fighting excess body weight, maintaining a healthy diet, and introducing regular physical activity in daily life.
- What are the first symptoms of arthritis, and which specialist does a patient need to see?
- The disease can manifest with pain in the joints, changes in shape and size, swelling, hyperemia on the surface of the joints, stiffness, and pain at the start of walking. But any unwanted symptom in the joints makes the doctor suspect more severe conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong treatment with cytostatic drugs. Therefore, any manifestation of joint syndrome requires an appointment with a rheumatologist to detect the kind of arthritis. It should not be forgotten that STDs can cause so-called "reactive arthritis" with the development of Reiter's joint syndrome, which requires mandatory antibiotic treatment.
- Is arthritis a life sentence? Is it possible, for example, to continue working?
- Nowadays, arthritis is not a life sentence, and modern medicine suggests new methods for treatment and prevention of acute arthritis quickly enough. Of course, the key to successful treatment is timely medical care and elimination of the cause of the disease, not the symptoms. There is a whole range of medications and special tools for rehabilitation. The most severe cases require hip and knee arthroplasty. After the installation of modern endoprostheses, the quality of life of such a patient will be at a very decent level. But the results depend a lot on a patient's motivation!
OSMU Press Center