An arthritis registry has been launched by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Essa Al Maidoor, director general of the DHA, said during the launch ceremony on Sunday that such registries are important to understand the prevalence, pattern and treatment methods for diseases and are important for research.
He said the registry will record the prevalence of six major musculoskeletal diseases including arthritis among patients at DHA hospitals.
The six diseases that are part of the registry include Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Soft Tissue Rheumatism, Vasculitis, Spondyloarthritis and Fibromyalgia.
Dr Abdulrehman Al Jassmi, chief executive of Dubai Hospital, said: “Musculoskeletal diseases are considered the second greatest cause of disability, globally. They make up 21.3 per cent of the accumulative number of years lived with disability.
“Disabilities caused by MS diseases has increased by 45 per cent in the years between 1990 and 2010. Due to these factors, we are determined and committed to shedding light on MS diseases and tabulating its prevalence and treatment methods to ensure further improved patient outcomes.”
Dr Jamal Al Saleh, head of rheumatology at Dubai Hospital, said: “The system provides several benefits for health professionals. It helps in standardising the healthcare system by providing informative and documented medical record of patients with such diseases. It allows doctors to monitor individual and group patient progression.”
Dr Al Saleh said that the registry is applicable for the government sector in Dubai but plans to expand it to other healthcare providers.
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