MEDICAL-EXPO 2008 in APLAR's World

Rheumatology in the Asia Pacific has come a long way since the establishment of APLAR in 1963. With the region accounting for ~60% of the world's population of diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds, it provides a great opportunity for researchers to study the epidemiology, pathogenesis and pharmacologic therapies of many rheumatic diseases. The richness in research opportunities within APLAR is exemplified by the successes of the WHO-ILAR (International League Against Rheumatism) sponsored Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD), which has generated extensive data on the epidemiology and pattern of rheumatic diseases in this region. Asia-wide databases on certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies and systemic lupus erythematosus have been or are being set up within APLAR. As a result, rheumatologists from our region are growingly involved in major clinical trials, as well as state-of-the art basic science research.

While we celebrate our successes, much more needs to be done. Many countries in the Asia Pacific are still struggling, with flailing economies, to establish rheumatology as a medical subspecialty. There is a general lack of awareness of musculoskeletal diseases and their impact on the society. Many medical schools do not have a structured undergraduate musculoskeletal disease curriculum or not at all. Diagnosis and treatment are often delayed because of a lack of basic knowledge in the clinical evaluation and management of rheumatic diseases amongst general clinicians as trained rheumatologists are few and far between. Unproven folklore medicines are therefore popular but may potentially be harmful. Under-development of the allied health professions means the chronically disabled are often poorly managed. Assistance is needed in these countries.

The bi-annual APLAR Rheumatology Congress is an excellent venue to address the above issues and I have confidence that much will be achieved when we next meet in 2008. The varied programme allows clinicians and scientists from the region to showcase their research achievements, and encourages interactions with their counterparts from the rest of the world on the latest advances in the management of rheumatic diseases. It will also be a great opportunity for medical and allied health personnel to interact with patients and stakeholders of health funding bodies and the industries. Programmes to highlight rheumatology education in the Asia Pacific will also go a long way in building a strong base of rheumatologists and related clinicians and scientists in this region. With these, I strongly urge you to join us in Yokohama in September next year.

The Asia Pacific region provides great research opportunities not just for APLAR countries, but also for the rest of the world. It is important that we all work together to ensure the continued growth of rheumatology in this region and beyond.