The effects of osteoarthritis, a rheumatic disease characterized by joint wear and tear that manifests itself in pain, stiffness, inflammation, redness and decreased synovial fluid especially in the hands, knees, hips and shoulders can be very high in terms. not only of quality of life but of economy.
According to Joan Baptista Tejada Álvarez, medical manager of Sanofi, this is a degenerative disease that, according to global estimates, can represent for a patient annual expenses of up to $ 8,000, represented in costs in initial care, drugs and treatments, a figure that far exceeds the expenditure on other diseases.
“In addition, in terms of public health, osteoarthritis has high repercussions for health systems; we must remember that this is one of the five (5) pathologies that cause the greatest disability in the world, being a chronic disease, which does not he is careful, which means that we have more and more patients with complications, “says Dr. Tejada.
Hence the importance of making a timely diagnosis and treatments to minimize these effects and their impact on the daily lives of people who suffer from it, as to physical complications such as mobility difficulties, severe pain, trouble sleeping. , add emotional and psychological effects that translate into imbalances at work and in social and family life, which can even lead to depression.
The disease, adds Tejada, “involves a multimodal management that must begin with adequate medical care and in a timely manner, the performance of examinations, x-rays, MRIs, based on the patient’s medical history, to help to determine the extent of the damage, as well as establish work plans to decrease pain, strengthen muscles, improve joint movement and function, medications, or the intake of nutritional supplements. ”
Among the management options that the doctor may recommend are the use of topical analgesics, oral, and even techniques such as viscosupplementation with high molecular weight hyaluronic acid derivatives, where they have already been shown to be beneficial. to delay the last phase of this disease, which is surgery.
It is important that all patients with suspected osteoarthritis seek timely medical attention to be a candidate for different therapeutic options to control their symptoms.
Figures and data
In Colombia, 1.3 million people suffer from osteoarthritis. 1 in 4 individuals.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, it is estimated that by 2025, 350 million people in the world will suffer from it.
In the country it is estimated that 11.13% of men and 20.3% of women suffer from it.
Osteoarthritis is 1 of the 5 most common diseases in the world.
This condition can represent an annual cost of up to $ 8,000 for a patient.
In developed countries, the costs of rheumatic diseases can account for between 1 and 3% of gross domestic product.
According to the International Osteoarthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis is more prevalent in men under the age of 45 and in women over the age of 55.
Cases between 35 and 44 years have increased 4 times since 1990.
It is a disease that has an increasing incidence in young people, women and athletes, due, in large part to:
● Overweight
● High-impact sports practice
● And the prevalence of other pathologies such as:
-Cardiovascular diseases
-cardiovascular hypertension
– Anxiety or depression.
Among the causes are:
● Obesity
● Injuries
● Hereditary factors
● Nerve damage
Among the treatments are:
● Weight control
● Structured exercise programs
● Physical and occupational therapy
● Medications such as painkillers that help relieve pain, and anti-inflammatory drugs
● Nutritional supplements such as hydrolyzed collagen, especially in the early stages of the disease.
● Intraarticular therapies with hyaluronic acid derivatives