CAIRO - A mother may notice swelling in her child's joints when he wakes up in the morning; he may also experience pain walking, but the problem usually disappears after a few minutes. The mother should consult a doctor because her son probably has rheumatoid arthritis, specialists say. Such cases were discussed during the 33rd conference of the Egyptian Arthritis Society. Professor of Rheumatic Illnesses Ayman el-Garf, the Chairman of the Arthritis Society and a member of the School of Medicine at Cairo University, says that rheumatoid arthritis afflicts children at the age of six months. He stresses the importance of early diagnosis and proper therapy to control and overcome the disease. “Biological therapy is appropriate for children aged four years. This therapy has been approved by Food and Drug Administration [FDA],” says Dr el-Garf. There are three main forms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in children. “These forms may affect fewer or more than four joints, which might be inflamed, with the child experiencing fever and rashes. One of the complications of RA in children is inflammation of the iris, so they should have their eyes carefully examined so they don't go blind,” adds Prof. El-Garf. Professor of Rheumatic Diseases at Cairo University Khaled el-Hadidi says that about 1 per cent of Egyptians suffer from RA, more of them female than male. In 90 per cent of women with RA, the symptoms first appear in the feet and hands. “In pregnancy, a woman with RA makes a 75 per cent recovery from the complaint, but it returns in force again, once she has delivered,” says Dr el-Hadidi, urging woman with RA to eat plenty of fish, especially cold water fish such as salmon and tuna. The disease can affect the finger joints nearest the palm, as well as joints in the jaw, neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and toes. In fact, every bodily joint is vulnerable, while the eyes and lungs can also be affected. About 65 per cent of cases RA flare in the winter season and last for up to a month. As for diagnosis, Dr el-Hadidi stresses that lab tests are a reliable indicator as to whether someone has RA or not, while X-rays can highlight erosion and osteoporosis. He adds that there are several therapeutic techniques, based on medicines like cortisone, which helps prevent the disease spreading and destroying the joints. “Recently, doctors have started using biological drugs, which boost the recovery rate,” Prof. el-Hadidi explains, noting, however, that biological therapy, which is expensive, is only appropriate when the patient doesn't respond to traditional drugs.
