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Lower back pain - recognise the red flags

Experts at Rheumatology 2010 discuss the importance of knowing when to refer a patient to a specialist

Dubai, UAE - 10 October, 2010: Up to 80 per cent of the world's population will suffer from lower back pain (LBP) at some point, with 90 per cent of patients experiencing mechanical reasons for this pain, and only 10 per cent experiencing symptoms caused by systematic illness.

"The majority of first time patients will go to a non-rheumatic medical professional to seek treatment for LBP, which is fine for 90 per cent of patients," says Dr Ayman Mofti, director of the Al Biraa Arthritis Clinic who discussed the expert approach to lower back pain at Day 1 of the Emirates Rheumatology Conference. "Doctors must be on the look out for the 10 per cent of patients who need a specialist treatment plan.

"Doctors must be aware that 50 per cent of patients get better on their own within a month, no matter what treatment or pain management the patient receives for LBP. And up to 90 per cent get better within two months. Only 10 per cent go on to suffer from chronic illness. These patients must be identified at an early stage as misdiagnosis is common and can lead to complications if left undiagnosed. A proper patient history will build a foundation for diagnosis and effective treatment plan."

The 3^rd Annual Rheumatology Exhibition and Congress opened today at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai and will continue on the 11 and 12, October, 2010. The event, organised by IIR Middle East's Life Science Division, is run in association with the Emirates Society of Rheumatology and is supported by Friends of Arthritis Patients, The Arthritis Centre and the Emirates Arthritis Foundation.

The Emirates Rheumatology Conference will cover the latest in developments and treatments for rheumatic diseases in the region, featuring international experts covering an array of conference topics including pain management, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, joint replacement, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other connective tissue diseases.

"Musculoskeletal problems account for the highest number of visits to physicians and are also a leading cause of disability," says Dr. Waleed Al Shehhi, President of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR). "This conference brings together leading experts from hospitals in the US, Europe and Middle East to discuss advances in arthritis and related conditions, such as lower back pain, and to ensure patients can be diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment."

The Emirates Rheumatology Conference will be running a free to attend forum for insurance companies to reduce the burden of arthritis. This forum will run from 9am to 12.30pm on 12^th October, 2010.

A Patient Awareness forum, organised by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation and open to patients, will run in English and Arabic simultaneously from 6pm to 9pm on 12^th October, 2010, and experts will be looking at Lupus, biologic treatments, nutrition, Oriental Medicine and Thai Chi.

Running along side the Congress is a multinational exhibition showcasing exhibitors from around the globe including industry leaders such as Novartis, MSD, Abbott, Roche and GE Healthcare. As Gold sponsors of the event, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD) is committed to the field of Rheumatology.

"One of our main objectives is supporting the continuous medical education (CME) programs like the ESR Rheumatology Congress," says Nancy Toema, Brand and Customer Manager, MSD. "This years meeting is very up to date; this helps in increasing awareness of the New Biologic Therapies which are considered as a revolution in the treatment of the Rheumatoid Arthritis. These updates help the physicians to change the patients' lives by controlling their disease and improving their quality of life, which will reflect on the whole community."

Trade visitors have unlimited access to the exhibition from 8.30am to 5.30pm, 10 - 12 October 2010, at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, Dubai. Patients and insurance companies can also attend for free on 12 October 2010.

For more information about Rheumatology Exhibition and Congress, please call +971 4 407 2743 or visit www.rheumatologyme.com.

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About IIR Middle East:
For more information about IIR Middle East, please visit www.iirme.com.

About MSD:
MSD, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, MSD discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. For more information about MSD, please visit www.merck.com.

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR Manager - Life Science Division
IIR Middle East
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@iirme.com

© Press Release 2010