World Arthritis Day 2009: Northern Exposure

The AFM celebrated World Arthritis Day in Ipoh this year, commemorating the global annual event with a public forum focusing on Rheumatoid Arthritis, its symptoms and early detection and treatment of the disease.

The event, a public forum, supported by Abbot Diagnostics Division and jointly organised by them and the AFM, was aimed at raising awareness of the anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) test, which is a sensitive and specific blood test for rheumatoid arthritis. It was significant for the AFM that the event on Sunday, October 11, was held in Ipoh, as it gave the foundation an opportunity to introduce the AFM, as well as for the AFM’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group (RASG) chapter to reach out to patients and members of the public in the Northern Region.

Participants listened in rapt attention to the detailed yet informative and well illustrated presentation on anti-CCP testing by Dr Yeap Swan Sim, consultant rheumatologist at the Sime Darby Medical Centre in Subang Jaya, while Dr Loo Kok Lin, consultant rheumatologist with Hospital Pantai in Ipoh gave participants a talk on what happens to patients with Osteoarthritis.

At interaction time, many were happy to ply the consultants with their rheumatology-related queries, centering on, among other things, the consumption of Glucosamine Sulphate in connection with osteoarthritis, the differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and whether tennis elbows were considered as arthritis!

Avid interest was also expressed, and many questions were also raised, when RA sufferer and RASG Chairperson Annie Hay shared her experiences, and her methods of coping, as a rheumatoid arthritis patient of 15 Years.

At the close of proceedings, it was felt that the event had indeed achieved what it set to do, in its mission to educate participants to help them better understand rheumatoid arthritis, with a view to early detection and treatment. It was also a chance for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers to meet fellow patients, and form support groups in order to promote sharing of experiences and moral support for each other.

All in, it was a successful outing for both the AFM and RASG, and sponsors Abbot Diagnostics as well, although it was felt that future events would be even better publicised in the run-up in order for a wider participation to what is obviously a public event of significant value.

Report information supplied by Annie Hay of AFM’s RASG.