Half a million Belgians currently suffer from some kind of rheumatic disease. It is no coincidence that rheumatologist Jan Lenaerts (Reuma Institute Hasselt and UZ Leuven) reports this on World Rheumatism Day. “In recent years, progress has been made in the treatment of rheumatism, but the work is certainly not finished,” says the doctor.
“Half a million Belgians is a very large group,” says Lenaerts. “It is also one of the major causes of people’s incapacity for work. That is why awareness about the disease is of great importance.”
It is estimated that one third of all rheumatoid arthritis patients are under the age of 50. One in a thousand children develops childhood rheumatism. “It is therefore a misconception that rheumatic complaints only occur in older people,” says the doctor.
Between 20 and 40 years
About 1 percent of the Belgian population has rheumatoid arthritis, better known as joint rheumatism (the most well-known form of rheumatism; ed.). Another 1 percent suffer from so-called ‘rheumatism of the back’ or spondylitis. It is very typical that this form starts in patients aged 20 to 40 years. Research shows that it takes an average of 7 years before these patients receive the correct diagnosis. As a result, treatments often start late.
An unequivocal cause for rheumatoid arthritis has not yet been found. It is known that it is an autoimmune disease: the body’s own immune system attacks the body. Genetic and environmental factors also play a role. In recent years, more attention has been paid to the negative impact of smoking. “If people didn’t smoke, there would be only 60,000 patients in Belgium with rheumatoid arthritis. Compared to 100,000 now,” says Lenaerts.
Breakthroughs
In the field of medication for rheumatoid arthritis patients, there have been a number of breakthroughs in recent years. New drugs, called JAK inhibitors, which must be taken daily via a pill, reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis after an average of two weeks. For other medicines, the period was longer. JAK inhibitors are currently also used for other forms of rheumatism.
Over the next two years, Dr. Lenaerts wants to further expand the existing Reumahuis in Zaventem. There, in addition to rheumatologists, other care providers, such as rheumatism nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, are also working on better care and support for patients.
More information via www.reumanet.be and www.r-euma.be.
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