One in every five people globally is affected by rheumatism

One in every five people worldwide is affected by rheumatism, with millions experiencing joint, muscle, or bone-related problems, according to the Global Burden of Disease study.

The study notes that over 30 million new rheumatism cases are reported globally each year.

This pressing health concern was underscored at an arthritis awareness programme held on Saturday at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Center in the capital.

Organised for the ninth time by the Professor Nazrul Rheumatology Foundation and Research (PNRFR) Trust, the event aimed to promote awareness of arthritis and related illnesses.

Delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Neera Ferdous, Vice Chairman of the PNRFR Trust and Associate Professor of Medicine at MH Samorita Medical College and Hospital, highlighted the growing burden of arthritis in Bangladesh.

She pointed out that despite the rising number of people suffering from rheumatism and similar conditions, there remains a severe shortage of trained rheumatologists to meet the country’s needs.

Current estimates indicate that around 1.75 million people in Bangladesh are living with rheumatoid arthritis. Globally, about 40 women and 20 men per 100,000 people are diagnosed with the condition each year. Based on these rates, Bangladesh records roughly 6,500 new rheumatoid arthritis cases annually.

The event was chaired by PNRFR Chairman and Vice President of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology, Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam.

Speakers included medicine, diabetes, and thyroid disorders specialist Professor Dr. Nasim Akhter Chowdhury; Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Members Md. Munir Hossain and Major General Kazi Iftekhar-ul-Alam; former Rotary Club Dhaka President Sheikh Nahar Mahmud; Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) Chairman Aminul Islam; and PNRFR Secretary General Dr. Piyush Kanti Biswas.