World Arthritis Day: Raising Awareness and Empowering Lives Through Reliable Information

Understanding Arthritis and AiArthritis Diseases

Arthritis is not a single disease but a term that encompasses over 200 different conditions affecting the joints, tissues around the joints, and other connective tissues. These conditions can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased range of motion, significantly impacting the quality of life. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are among the most common, disabling, and costly non-communicable diseases.

Of the 200 plus conditions under the umbrella of arthritis are 22 autoimmune and autoinflammatory arthritis diseases or known as AiArthritis Diseases. 

Core Diseases

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Sjögren's Disease (SD)
• Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) 
• Still's Disease 
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
• Undifferentiated Disease (UD) 

Additional diseases that may have more differentiating symptoms

These diseases are also under the AiArthritis umbrella. We separated them because there are disease features that could differentiate them easier from the conditions in the first group.

• Crohn's Disease 
• Sarcoidosis 
• Relapsing Polychondritis (RP)
• VEXAS Syndrome 
• Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma (SSc)
• Behcet's Disease (BD)
• Palindromic Rheumatism (PR)
• Antisynthetase Syndrome (ASS) 
• Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) 

Very Rare Diseases

There are also some very rare autoinflammatory diseases that often include inflammatory arthritis as a major clinical component. These include:

• Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)
• HIDS 
• Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) 
• Schnitzler Syndrome
• Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis (CNO)

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

One of the key messages of World Arthritis Day is the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention can help manage symptoms more effectively, prevent further joint damage, and improve overall outcomes. Unfortunately, many people with RMDs remain undiagnosed or receive a diagnosis only after significant damage has occurred.

This Year’s Theme: “Informed Choices, Better Outcomes”

The theme for World Arthritis Day 2024 is "Informed Choices, Better Outcomes". In today’s digital age, access to information is both a blessing and a challenge. While there is a wealth of information available, it can be overwhelming and sometimes misleading. This year’s campaign focuses on empowering people with accurate, evidence-based information to make informed decisions about their health in partnership with healthcare professionals.

Why is it important to you to have reliable information about your disease? 

Having reliable information about a disease is crucial for several reasons:

Informed Decision-Making: Accurate information helps you make better decisions about your treatment options, lifestyle changes, and overall health management.

Understanding the Condition: Knowing the details about your disease can reduce anxiety and help you understand what to expect, which can be empowering.

Effective Communication: It allows you to have more productive conversations with your healthcare providers, ensuring you can ask the right questions and understand their advice.

Support and Resources: Reliable information can guide you to appropriate support groups, resources, and services that can aid in managing your condition.

Preventing Misinformation: It helps you avoid the pitfalls of misinformation, which can lead to ineffective or harmful treatments.

At AiArthritis we are always striving to provide reliable resources. We have downloadable resources to help you better understand your AiArthritis Disease. We are also excited to announce our new Patient Journey pages to help guide patients along their AiArthritis Disease journey. 

How You Can Get Involved

There are many ways to participate in World Arthritis Day and support the cause:

Spread Awareness: Use social media to share facts about arthritis and RMDs. Use hashtags like #WorldArthritisDay and #WAD2024 to join the conversation.

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about arthritis and RMDs. Share this knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues to help dispel myths and misconceptions.

Support Research: Consider donating to AiArthritis to fund arthritis reliable resources. 

Join Events: Participate in local or virtual events such as webinars, walks, or support groups. These events can provide valuable information and a sense of community.

World Arthritis Day is a vital opportunity to shine a light on the challenges faced by those living with arthritis and RMDs. By raising awareness, promoting early diagnosis and treatment, and empowering individuals with accurate information, we can make a significant difference in the lives of millions. Let’s come together this October 12th to support and advocate for those affected by these conditions.