PHOTO
- Globally, statistics have revealed 90% of people will suffer from back pain at least once in their lifetime, with 60% continuing to experience the symptoms a year later
- Professor Nick Shamie from the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles to address delegates during Arab Health 2020 in Dubai
Dubai: Arab Health, the MENA region’s largest exhibition for healthcare and trade professionals, will address the issue of lower back pain and the burden placed on the healthcare sector and the global economy, when the event returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre and Conrad Dubai Hotel from 27 – 30 January 2020.
Research by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations, based at the University of Washington and Seattle and funded by a US$250 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, found that the number one reason for years lived with disability (YLD) is lower back pain, with the cost to the US economy estimated to be US$102 billion.
Dr Nick Shamie, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, will address delegates during the Primary Care Conference at Arab Health with the presentation, Back problems: An evidence-based approach to low back pain in primary care: fracture and osteoporosis management.
Speaking ahead of the conference, he said: “Lower back pain is a huge area of concern with 90% of people affected by the condition at some point in their life. Interestingly, once someone goes to their doctor with lower back pain, when approached a year later, 60% said the symptoms still persisted.
“Lower back pain, therefore, has a huge burden on society with both the initial healthcare costs and then the indirect costs over the lifetime of the individual, which include the loss of wages and the subsequent impact on the economy.”
According to research highlighted by Dr Shamie there is a significant prevalence of back pain in the UAE with some 60% of residents affected by the condition. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the majority of low back pain cases are the result of an injury, such as muscle sprains or strains due to sudden movements or poor body mechanics while lifting heavy objects.
In the UAE, Dr Shamie highlighted possible causes as higher BMI, lack of regular outdoor exercise and in the older population, osteoporosis – a condition which is more prevalent in the UAE compared to other parts of the world due to people covering up from the intense sun and therefore experiencing a reduced vitamin D level – as risk factors.
“Back pain can be looked upon similarly to cardiac disease. If a family has a history of cardiac-related problems, they tend to focus on eating more healthily and exercising regularly. The same is true of back pain - if back pain is prevalent, it is important to take greater care when looking after your back,” Dr Shamie said.
“Body mechanics is critically important as increasingly we find ourselves in a seated position, particularly behind computers. As this has biomechanically shown to put more pressure on the disks in our spine when compared to standing, it is important to get up every hour to walk around and stretch, otherwise people face the very real prospect of disk disease or degeneration,” he added.
When discussing the biggest advances in treatment for back conditions in the last 20 years, Dr Shamie cites a greater understanding of the causes of lower back pain and the subsequent correct diagnosis which avoids improper treatment and, in some instances, unnecessary surgery which can lead to greater chronic disability.
“Proper diagnosis and targeted treatment are imperative, and when surgery is done for the right reasons, it can be lifechanging,” Dr Shamie concluded.
During the conference, Dr Nick Shamie will be joined by Dr William Murrell, Consultant, InfoHealth, Dubai, and Dr Kirill Micallef-Stafrace, Specialist in Sports and Exercise Medicine and Vice President European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations, who will present lectures on Joint disorders: evaluation and management of joint pain in primary care and The role of physical activity in the management of osteoarthritis, respectively.
Over 450 companies will be showcasing products dedicated to orthopaedics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation at Arab Health this year.
Ross Williams, Exhibition Director of Arab Health, said: “The toll of back pain on today’s society is incredible, particularly when you consider that nine out of 10 people will suffer from issues associated with lower back pain at least once during their lifetime. The Primary Care conference, which takes place from 27-28 January at Arab Health, and our dedicated product sector, will address these issues and outline the best practices to alleviate the burden on the healthcare sector and the wider economy.”
Organised by Informa Markets, an anticipated 4,250+ exhibitors from more than 64 countries and 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the 2020 edition of Arab Health.
-Ends-
About Arab Health
Arab Health is the largest healthcare event in the Middle East and is organised by Informa Markets. Established 45 years ago, Arab Health provides a platform for the world’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and subcontinent. The 2020 edition of the event is expected to welcome more than 4,250 exhibiting companies and 55,000 attendees from 160+ countries.
Arab Health Congress is reputed for delivering the highest quality Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conferences to medical professionals in the region. Attended by more than 5,000 delegates from around the globe, 14 conferences and three educational forums, including Healthcare investment, infrastructure and innovation, will bring a global appeal with international speakers covering a broad spectrum of medical specialities and disciplines.
Arab Health 2020 will take place from 27-30 January 2020, at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Conrad Dubai Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Website: www.arabhealthonline.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArabHealth/
Twitter: @Arab_Health #ArabHealth
Linkedin: Arab Health Forum
Instagram: @arabhealthonline
2019 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLEe2-3kxP-IXaKTjyD_l9WSABqbvn4NFL&v=HqQZcqu2eKo
Media contact
JAMES LAKIE
General Manager
Tel: +971 4 365 2711 | Mobile: +971 50 153 6544
E-mail: james.lakie@shamalcomms.com
Office 106, Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City
PO Box 502701 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website: www.shamalcomms.com
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
