2023-12-21 09:33:04
Timely detection of a pathology is always essential to improve the prognosis of patients and in the case of rheumatic diseases, about which there is a lack of information in society, a late diagnosis can lead to consequences and irreparable damage for patients. .
In Spain, it is estimated that approximately 11 million people suffer from a rheumatic disease. /EFE/EPA/JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE
One of the first challenges faced by people with rheumatic diseases, more than 11 million Spaniards, is early diagnosis, essential to improve control of the condition and avoid irreparable damage to the patient.
Due to their non-specific symptoms, especially at their onset, rheumatic diseases often do not have an early diagnosis.
The Dr. Sagrario Bustabad, president of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER)states that the main risk of delayed diagnosis is that it can lead to serious consequences, many of them irreversible.
To this problem we must add the ignorance that exists in relation to rheumatic diseases by the population.
Therefore, due to the lack of information about rheumatic diseases and the consolidation of certain myths that still exist about this pathology, such as thinking that rheumatic diseases are exclusively associated with older people, the Spanish Foundation of Rheumatology has launched the bell “The Wait”.
The main objective of this project is, on the one hand, to provide knowledge about rheumatic diseases, and on the other, to improve early diagnosis and highlight the importance of recognizing some rheumatic symptoms.
The campaign also has the support of patient associations at the national level such as the National Association of Juvenile Dermatomyositis (ANADEJU), Association of Uveitis Patients (AUVEA) or the Spanish Scleroderma Association (AEE), among others.
Infographic provided by the Spanish Rheumatology Foundation. Infographic provided by the Spanish Rheumatology Foundation.
Knowing rheumatic diseases
It is estimated that In Spain, 1 in 4 adults suffers from a rheumatic disease, which represents around 11 million people, as confirmed by data from EPISER 2016 (Study of prevalence of rheumatic diseases in the adult population in Spain).
There are more than 200 rheumatic diseases and systemic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome, among them.
“These pathologies affect joints, bones and muscles, but also organs such as lung, heart, kidney, eyes, skin, etc. They are the most common chronic ailments,” recalls Dr. Olaia Fernández Berrizbeitia, from the Rheumatology Service of the Basurto University Hospital and coordinator of the Communication and Patients Commission of the SER.
The expert also insists on the importance of promote awareness campaigns to “increase knowledge about rheumatic diseases and for the population to recognize the main symptoms and go to the Primary Care doctor.”
In this sense, from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology They are carrying out various initiatives with the aim of improving the referral of this type of pathologies to rheumatologists.
“On many occasions, those affected are not able to associate certain symptoms with the possibility of having a rheumatic disease, so they postpone their visit to the Primary Care doctor so that he or she can assess the pain, stiffness or lack of mobility,” highlights Dr. Bustabad, rheumatologist at the Canary Islands University Hospital.
“It is important that the population knows that it is not normal to feel morning stiffness, chronic pain, limited mobility, swelling, redness or heat in the joints, since these symptoms may be due to a rheumatic disease,” concludes the president of the Society. Spanish Rheumatology.
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