Rise in children diagnosed with arthritis alarming, say doctors

Abu Dhabi - Seventy-eight per cent of people with arthritis experience pain every day, while one in four suffer from the most common cause of disability for over 20 years.

Around 10 to 20 per cent of children in paediatric units in the UAE are suffering from arthritis, according to doctors.
Dr Humeira Badsha, consultant rheumatologist, Dr Humeira Badsha Medical Centre, said: "There are over 100 types of arthritis. But when you hear arthritis, you think it's only linked to the elderly. With arthritis affecting one in every five people in the UAE, it is imperative that preventive measures are taken and support is provided to those in need."
She stressed that early diagnosis is vital for a successful treatment. Children and teenagers are susceptible, with the most severe forms occurring mostly in younger people, although the average age of onset is between 40 and 60 years.
"Auto-immune juvenile arthritis affects children as young as one. If the joints become swollen and inflamed, they have to be tested and given medications."
Dr Badsha said juvenile arthritis roughly effects one in every 1,000 children globally. She urged parents to look out for symptoms, which include morning stiffness, skin rashes, ulcers in the mouth, as well as fevers.
Dr Hala Fikri Mohammed El Hagrasi, consultant and head of paediatrics, Burjeel Hospital, said: "Arthritis is very common. As there are too many causes, we do not have exact figures on how many children are affected by it. Around 10-20 per cent of all children in the paediatric unit have arthritis."
She pointed out that the disease is common among children aged between 5 and 15. Symptoms can be very common to very serious and life-threatening. Most common causes are trauma and viral-induced arthritis, infections and rheumatic diseases.
Dr Badsha said she sees around 3,000 patients each year, adding that around 60 per cent of auto-immune arthritis are found in women aged 45 and above. Seventy-eight per cent of people with arthritis experience pain every day, while one in four suffers from the most common cause of disability for over 20 years.
She added although the numbers in children diagnosed with the disease are alarming, the number among adults still prevails. 
"With osteoarthritis and gout, patients must modify their lifestyle, but with auto-immune arthritis, it's the question of making sure the immune system is not over-activated. Those diagnosed with arthritis must not eat anything processed, artificial colours and preservatives, because these can irritate the immune system." 
The board member of Middle East Arthritis Foundation said that people with arthritis are also at risk of depression. Managing stress and ensuring the body has enough Vitamin D is also important.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

One in five affected in the UAE To mark the 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."

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi