KUWAIT CITY: "Arthritis is a disease which currently affects a large number of people. Arthritis which means inflammation (swelling) of the joint exists in a variety of forms but two of the most common forms are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis," said Dr Samer Abdullah, Head of Rheumatology and Physical Medicine Department at the New Mowasat Hospital, Salmiya. He was speaking during a lecture held on March 29 at the Radisson SAS Hotel on arthritis, specifically tackling rheumatoid arthritis. "Rheumatoid arthritis," he said, "affects different joints in the body. It causes inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which can trigger pain, stiffness, swelling, and can lead to joint damage. "Over time, the damage the rheumatoid arthritis causes to joints typically results in pain and loss of movement," he added.
Dr Abdullah also spoke on the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. "It is not yet known what causes rheumatoid arthritis. It is autoimmune that is somehow triggered in people who have an inherited tendency for the disease," stated Dr Abdullah. "The body attack itself causing damage to the joints," he added. The primary symptoms of RA include inflammation of the joints, swelling, difficulty moving, and pain in joints. Other potential symptoms include loss of energy, loss of appetite, fever, and anemia. A diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis typically comes from a rheumatologist, who takes into account a pattern of symptoms, your medical history, x-rays, lab test, and physical exam. Physicians often conduct a lab test to screen for "rheumatoid factor", and antibody found in the blood for approximately 80 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr Abdullah also spoke on osteoarthritis. "The knee is one of the most joints affected by this disease. In Osteoarthritis the articular cartilage begins to degrade. After a long period of time the cartilage can become completely "worn away" and the bone begins to rub together," explained Dr. Abdullah. "In the Rheumatology and Physical Medicine Department we provide an advanced treatment of osteoarthritis by viscosupplementation therapy, involving injecting a clear gel-like substance directly into the knee joint. These medications help to restore of the lubrication lost by the damaged cartilage and thus improve symptoms, he added.
Dr Abdullah had his medical training and qualification in France, University of Paris, where he specialized with some of the most prominent medical practitioners in his specialty. He also performed post graduate clinical attachments in USA (Harvard University), Germany and China. As a prominent member of the Rheumatology and Physical medicine society, Dr Abdullah is recognized locally in Kuwait, as well as abroad. Dr Abdullah is specialized in the conservative treatment of musculoskeletal diseases: bone, joint and spine diseases, rheumatic autoimmune disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, back and neck pain, etc.
By Rena Sadeghi
© Arab Times 2009
