JEDDAH: To commemorate World Arthritis Day, which takes place every year on Oct. 12, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah (KFSH&RC) is organizing a number of events and an open exhibition at the Red Sea Mall today. The workshop and the information campaign are aimed at enlightening the public about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory systemic diseases affecting joints. The function takes place from 7 P.M. until 10 P.M. and includes short medical lectures. There will also be free medical checkups and examinations. Dr. Hussein Mohammad Halabi, head of the Arthritis and Joint Diseases Department at KFSH&RC, said there are more than 100 rheumatic diseases, including rheumatism, osteoarthritis (OA), lupus, and gout (known as podagra). Rheumatic diseases are painful conditions that affect millions. These diseases cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints or muscles. “Some rheumatic diseases like osteoarthritis affect about 1.3 million Americans; about 75 percent of those affected are women. Other rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, happen when the immune system goes haywire and attacks the linings of joints, causing joint pain, swelling, and destruction,” explained Halabi. Dr. Nahid Jaloudi, an assistant consultant on rheumatic diseases and chronic joint inflammation, said that such chronic diseases should be treated only by specialists to avoid further complications. She said there are new medications for lupus and gout, but added that early diagnosis and treatment contributes to quicker recovery.
