Rheumatoid arthritis in the Middle East and Africa: are we any closer to optimising its management?

Saleh, Jamal Al; Ragab, Gaafar; Nash, Peter; Halabi, Hussein; Laatar, A.; Yousef, Ahmed; Ehsouna, Hamdi; Hammoudeh, Mohammed

doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2818-5

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A recent editorial addressed whether the (EULAR) consensus recommendations published in 2013 were applicable and appropriate for implementation in the middle east, North Africa region (MENA) and South Africa; a group of expert rheumatologists met in Dubai during the Pan-Arab rheumatology conference held in January, 2014 and agreed on most of the recommendations and their applicability, with some reservations because of different health systems and financial constraints. 1 Also the different challenges in the treatment of RA in MENA and South Africa were addressed in a recent publication and it was generally agreed that there is an improvement in the management of RA; however there are some obstacles that could affect the treatment outcome in some of these countries, such as early referral and general awareness of the magnitude of RA from some governmental authorities, a lack of specific guidelines for treatment, easy access and use of biologics, and prevalence of certain comorbidities. 2 There have been no specific guidelines developed in Saudi Arabia, which makes many rheumatologists adapt either the ACR or EULAR guidelines or a hybrid of both.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey on management strategies of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: a Saudi Society for Rheumatology Initiative

Omair

Halabi

2015

Int J of Rheum Dis

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey on management strategies of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: a Saudi Society for Rheumatology Initiative

Omair

Halabi

2015

Int J of Rheum Dis

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“…Previous research on chronic illness has identified barriers to leisure, such as limited energy, time demands, pain, and decreased muscle strength (Lyons et al 2013, Katz 2004, Ahlstrand et al 2015, Marko 2012). Findings from this study emphasise ways in which the spatial and temporal characteristics of chronic illness symptoms and management can shape the leisure-scape of a person with chronic illness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis report substantial reduction in recreation (e.g., taking walks, gardening, bicycling), hobbies or crafts, traveling or getting around the community, social events, religious activities, and visiting friends or family at home (Katz 2004, 47). Reduction in leisure has been attributed to having limited energy (Lyons et al 2013), less available time due to illness management (Katz 2004), pain (Ahlstrand et al 2015), and decreased muscle strength (Marko 2012). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding joy in poor health: The leisure-scapes of chronic illness

McQuoid

2017

Social Science & Medicine

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Globally, increasing numbers of people face the challenge of enjoying life while living with long-term illness. Little research addresses leisure participation for people with chronic illness despite its links with mental and physical health and self-rated quality of life. I use a space-time geographical approach to explore experiences with leisure in everyday life for 26 individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Australia. I examine ways in which the spatial and temporal characteristics of illness management and symptoms shape where, when, and how participants can enjoy leisure, focusing on: 1) logistical conflicts between illness and leisure; 2) rhythmic interferences with the force of habit in skilful leisure performance; and 3) absorbing experiences of encounter with self and place through leisure. Data were collected from 2013 to 2014. Participants kept diaries over two sample days and then participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings show that the voluntary nature of leisure offered participants important benefits in coping with and managing illness over the long-term, including opportunities to experience greater sense of control, an alternative experience of one’s body to the ‘sick body’, and knowledge creation that supports adaptation to the uncertainties of illness trajectories. The ability to engage in meaningful leisure was constrained by the shaping forces of illness symptoms and management on participants’ leisure-scapes. Illness treatment regimens should therefore be adapted to better accommodate leisure participation for chronically ill patients, and leisure should be explicitly incorporated into illness management plans negotiated between patients and health practitioners. Finally, greater understanding of the transformative capacity of habit in activities of experimentation and play may have wider-reaching implications for leisure’s potential applications in public health. Leisure should be taken seriously as a vehicle for enhancing wellbeing and adaptation to life with long-term illness.

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“…Experts from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region agree that rheumatology society guidelines on the treatment of RA, such as those from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), are largely applicable to the MENA region; however, the MENA region does have some unique characteristics such as financial limitations and differently structured health systems [9,36,37]. A group consisting of rheumatologists, other clinicians, and methodologists from several professional organizations in the MENA region have adapted eight recommendations on both early and established RA from the 2015 ACR guidelines, and these recommendations have been published [37,38].…”

Section: Guidelines For Use Of Biosimilars In the Middle East And Normentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosimilars in Rheumatic Diseases: Regulatory Guidelines, Efficacy and Safety Implications in Saudi Arabia

Halabi¹,

Zahrani²,

Swailem³

et al. 2018

TORJ

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Background: Treatment with biologic drugs has enabled many patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease to achieve disease control. In some areas of the world, limited access to biologic therapies has created a demand for lower cost options such as biosimilars, which are highly similar, but not identical to originator biologics. The safe use of biosimilars requires a scientifically rigorous review process for their approval, and guidelines that aid rheumatologists in their use. Discussion: In Saudi Arabia, there are no national or regional guidelines to assist rheumatologists in the proper use of biosimilars in clinical practice, and this may potentially affect the quality of patient care. In this review, we discuss the importance of developing a guidance and the need for healthcare professionals and patients to receive education about biosimilars. We discuss the unique requirements for biosimilar approval, and the differences between biosimilars, originator biologics, and generics. We review important considerations related to biosimilar use, such as switching from originator biologics to biosimilars, switching between different biosimilars, interchangeability, automatic substitution, naming, and pharmacovigilance. We also provide recommendations based on the authors’ expert opinions as rheumatologists to help ensure the appropriate use of biosimilars in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: The approval and use of biosimilars must be supported by scientifically sound evidence. Guidelines for the use of biosimilars are needed in Saudi Arabia to aid rheumatologists in making clinical decisions. Additionally, educational resources should be provided to healthcare professionals and patients.

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Rheumatoid arthritis in the Middle East and Africa: are we any closer to optimising its management?

Cited by 9 publications

References 22 publications

Survey on management strategies of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: a Saudi Society for Rheumatology Initiative

Survey on management strategies of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: a Saudi Society for Rheumatology Initiative

Finding joy in poor health: The leisure-scapes of chronic illness

Biosimilars in Rheumatic Diseases: Regulatory Guidelines, Efficacy and Safety Implications in Saudi Arabia

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