“IT’S THE AGE”. “There is not much to do”. “The pain must be kept.” Phrases as common as they are dangerous, because generic symptoms such as joint pain, migraines, stiffness in movement and fatigue can actually be the sign of a rheumatological disease. Thus it happens that rheumatoid arthritis is detected one or two years after the onset of symptoms, ankylosing spondylitis up to five years later, and fibromyalgia even up to seven. These are potentially disabling diseases, which it is essential to diagnose in time: when they are not recognized, in fact, they can cause irreversible damage. Meanwhile, patients try to solve with the “do it yourself” and sometimes wander from one specialist to another or make unnecessary and expensive tests. For this reason, the Italian Society of Rheumatology (Sir) launches the first national campaign on early diagnosis ‘Rheumatological diseases, individuals first, face them first’, with the aim of reaching millions of citizens still unaware of their pathology. Like? Through pharmacists, thanks to an agreement with Federfarma Servizi, who are the first to intercept patients and direct them to the rheumatologist. “It is a large-scale project that stems from the awareness of delays, often harmful, in the correct interpretation of symptoms”, says Roberto Gerli, national president of SIR: “Early diagnosis can significantly improve the quality of life of those patients who, for keep symptoms under control, often make uncontrolled use of drugs. Our intent is to enhance the figure of the rheumatologist, to allow these people access to the best therapies “.
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The importance of early diagnosis
Rheumatological diseases is a complex world: there are over 150 and in Italy they affect 5 million people, many of working age. Symptoms can be disabling, so much so that 40% of patients have to give up work and another 30% are forced to reduce it. “Acting early is important – emphasizes Gerli – because a timely intervention that aims to keep pathologies under control in their early stages can also allow us to lead a normal life”. But what role can pharmacists play? “Every day we see people suffering from various pathologies, ignoring their real cause: they consume large doses of analgesics but without tangible results and above all without a clear overview”, Antonello Mirone, president of Federfarma Servizi replies: “Pharmacists can talk to them and explain the usefulness of a visit with the rheumatologist, the specialist who can correctly frame the symptoms and direct you to a correct therapy. It is a prevention service that enhances the role of the network of local pharmacies “.
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The impact on health and social costs
Reducing the waiting time to get to the diagnosis also means reducing the costs of the health system and the social costs associated with disability: “These patients go from one doctor to another and often undergo unnecessary and superfluous tests. The importance of early diagnosis in these pathologies clearly emerges from hundreds of studies and makes it possible to intervene with extreme effectiveness thanks to the therapies available today ”, underlines Ennio Lubrano, member of the national SIR board. “It is crucial that scientific societies engage in awareness-raising projects towards citizens: the issue of early diagnosis is crucial and of great health importance”, confirms Gianni Rezza, Director General of Health Prevention of the Ministry of Health: “As a Ministry we are always committed to fostering dialogue between specialists and citizens, which is also useful for guaranteeing the sustainability of the national health system “.
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Countryside
The campaign, made possible thanks to the unconditional contribution of BMS, Pfizer and Roche, will continue until the end of 2022 and provides for the creation of booklets and leaflets on the most common rheumatological diseases, and a strong awareness of citizens on the importance of not underestimating symptoms. The information will also pass through the social channels of Sir (where it is possible to review the press conference of the launch of the campaign) and Federfarma Servizi.
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