Gentle Yoga for Arthritis - Arthritis Foundation of WA

32 Pages·2013·2.51 MB·English

Winter 2013
Ar thritisToday
www.arthritiswa.org.au
Pathology Testing
for Biologics
The Importance
of Stability
On Empathy, Stigma
& Chronic Pain
Gentle Yoga
for Arthritis
with
The original Rose-Hip Vital™ with GOPO® imported from
Denmark is a powerful anti-oxidant and may help:
facebook.com/ArthritisWA twitter.com/ArthritisWA
C
o
FEATURED n
with
THIS ISSUE t
4. From the Desk of the Executive e
6. Latest News
n
7. Feature Story: Pathology Testing
7. Pathology
and the New Biologics t
Testing
10. President’s Report s
and the New
13. Feature Story: On Empathy, Stigma
Biologics and Chronic Pain
16. Events
21. AO Youth: The Kope Programe
20. Volunteers
21. Health and Lifestyle:
The Importance of Stability
The original Rose-Hip Vital™ with GOPO® imported from
Gentle Yoga for Arthritis
Denmark is a powerful anti-oxidant and may help: Kirsty’s Recipe
13 25. Upcoming Events
.
27. AJ Smith Society
30. Country Rheumatology
On Empathy,
31. Support Groups
Stigma and

Chronic Pain
22 The
.
Importance
of Stability
E F
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ud
e Welcome to our Winter Gentle Yoga for Arthritis article
s Edition of Arthritis Today. talks about how this kind of
t
k
I hope you find much that is gentle exercise has been shown

io informative and helpful in to help people with arthritis
vf
managing your condition. by soothing their bodies and

t
promoting a positive outlook.
eh In this issue, our leading article
e
talks about pathology tests, And then there is this article…

something we all do with some Why do I get annoying ‘niggles’
D
degree of regularity. But if you are of pain when I increase the
being treated with one of the new distance I run? …and no, it’s
i biologic agents to better control not simply a case of running
r one or other of the many auto- too far too soon. The issue is
immune diseases, these tests take quite complex and deserves a As I said, there is much of
e
on an added dimension. read even if you’re not about interest. Enjoy.
to run a half marathon or walk
c Pathology testing is critical not
the Bibbulmun Track.
only to ensure your treatment
t
regime is working effectively Welcome then to our Winter
o but that your general health is issue of Arthritis Today, packed
maintained. You should read it with information by our
r with interest. Rheumatologists and our Health Ric Forlano
Professionals plus news from both
Less technical, is the article about Executive Director
here and abroad, news of coming
yoga and the beneficial effects this
events, of upcoming seminars and
form of exercise can give you. The
so much more.
Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA Board Mission Statement
Arthritis Today is published by President: Dr J. Edelman MBBS FRACP The objective of Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA
Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA. Vice President: Dr I.D. Froyland PhD(Crim), is to reduce the incidence and disabling effects
MA(Psych), Dip Ed of arthritis, osteoporosis and related conditions
Address:
Hon Treasurer: Ms Silvia Caratti B Com FCA in the people of Western Australia through
17 Lemnos Street,
MBA programs in Care, Education and Research.
Shenton Park, WA 6008 Members: Prof. R. Prince BSc MB ChB Birm.;
Postal Address: MD Melb, FRACP, MRCP(UK); Dr B. Langlands Advertising Policy Statement
P0 Box 34, MBBS FRACP; Dr Margaret Mazur MD FRACP;
Wembley, WA 6913 Mr Brad Gordon SA (Fin.), Fdn DFP, MAICD; Products and services advertised in Arthritis
Ms Debbie Borshoff BA (UWA), Dip Ed Today are not necessarily recommended by
Tel: [phone] Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA. Some readers may
Fax: [phone] Production assume that anything that is advertised in these
Toll Free: 1800 011 041 pages has been cleared, vetted or in some way
(Country Callers only) Arthritis Today is published by Arthritis & approved by the charity. This is not so. Arthritis
Osteoporosis WA. This magazine is designed by & Osteoporosis WA is not equipped to test and
Website: www.arthritiswa.org.au
kembercreative. This magazine is printed by a approve products and services that are available
Email: [email protected]
“Level 2 Green Stamp” environmental accredited to the general public. Please exercise your own
President: printer, using petroleum free vegetable based judgment about whether the item or service
Dr J Edelman MBBS FRACP inks and 33% green electricity generated from advertised is likely to help you personally and,
Executive Director: solar panels. The paper is sourced from FCC where appropriate, obtain professional advice
Mr R Forlano CPA BCOM AICD accredited sustainable and well managed forests from your doctor or specialist before purchasing.
and is 100% recyclable.”
Copyright: Articles appearing in this
publication may be reproduced subject to written
agreement from Arthritis WA. Arthritis WA
retains editorial control over its content.
4
L
a
t
e
s
Australian-first solution
t

for osteoarthritis sufferers N
e
Millions of Australians battling
w
with osteoarthritis and joint pain
will benefit from an easy-to-use
s
website which offers people a chance

to help gain control over their pain.
MyJointPain.org.au was The website and online
developed as a result of a unique tools are based on the
collaboration between Arthritis combined knowledge of a
Australia and the Bupa Health committee of medical and
Foundation. Olympic basketball scientific experts in key
star and Australian Opals captain, areas of surgical, scientific,
Lauren Jackson understands allied health, medical and
the importance of taking action consumer advocacy to
to manage joint injuries which provide leading advice for
can lead to osteoarthritis. “My osteoarthritis care.
journey through injury has been
MyJointPain.org.au offers
extremely frustrating and I know
three major support
what it’s like not to be able to walk.
functions. Firstly, the user
The support of my health care
will answer questions about
team has been so important in
their situation, they then
helping me cope and recover. The
receive a summary of their
MyJointPain.org.au website is like
risk of hip or knee osteoarthritis
having your own dedicated team
along with management options
there to develop a personalised
for osteoarthritis in any joint.
plan that can help manage pain
In addition they receive regular
and other symptoms.”
updates and ongoing support to
“Whether you’re living with keep them on track with managing
osteoarthritis or joint pain day- their joint pain.
to-day, or dealing with it through
www.myjointpain.org.au
sport injuries, having an action
plan and support is extremely
important,” said Jackson.
“
Having an action
plan and support is
Olympic basketball star & Australian
extremely important
Opals captain, Lauren Jackson
Arthritis Today | WINTER 2013 5
New ‘Bone and
Joint’ online tool
in development.
In partnership with Telethon, Arthritis &
Osteoporosis WA is producing a ‘Bones
and Joint’ E-learning site within our
website.
The intent is to create a virtual and
interactive information centre to educate
children, parents and teachers on the
basic elements of a healthy family
lifestyle to develop good habits in
childhood.
The site aims to increase the awareness
of modifiable risk factors in chronic
conditions. The long term objective is
to reduce the incidence and disabling
effects of arthritis, osteoporosis and
related conditions in the people of WA.
The site will incorporate a special login
for teachers, allowing them access to
a wealth of information to help with
preparation of appropriate lessons.
Along with the website, there are
plans for a Project Officer to visit
schools, including regional and low
socioeconomic areas. During these visits
the Project Officer would deliver a lesson
to middle and upper primary school
students, as well as providing teachers
and school nurses with professional
development, including information of
the specific diseases, training on how to
navigate the site and how to effectively
implement the extension activities and
events which will reinforce the topics
covered.
The Bone and Joint website will be
officially launched at the end of June.
F
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u
Pathology Testing
r
e
and the New Biologics

S
From Lab Tests Online Au
t
Having blood taken for pathology inflammation. Some are of the biologics. However, both o
tests is a regular experience for antibodies that stick to the surface methotrexate and bDMARDs
many people with an autoimmune of immune cells such as white alter the immune system and as a r
condition but for those being cells removing the signals that result can increase the chance of
y
treated with one of the new drive them to cause disease. Other developing infection. They need
biologic agents, testing takes on medications bind to chemical careful monitoring.
an added dimension. signals (cytokines) in the blood
If you are having this type of
and have a similar effect.
Biologics, also known as treatment, pathology testing is
bDMARDs (biologic disease- bDMARDs include infliximab, critical not only in ensuring that it
modifying antirheumatic golimumab, etanercept, is working effectively but that your
drugs), reduce inflammation adalimumab, certolizumab, general health is maintained. It
by intervening in the immune abetacept, tocilizumab, and is important you have pathology
system process. The aim is to rituximab. They are often given tests both before starting the
stop potentially irreversible joint in combination with another drugs and then at regular intervals
damage and where possible, medication, methotrexate; this during treatment. The tests vary
induce remission. is because in some instances depending on the combination of
together they give better results. drugs being given, but some are
They do this by targeting specific
Methotrexate also decreases the common to all therapies.
molecules that play key roles
risk of a reaction against some
in triggering and maintaining
Biologics, also known
as bDMARDs reduce
inflammation by
intervening in the
immune system process.
The aim is to stop
potentially irreversible
joint damage and where
possible, induce remission.
Arthritis Today | WINTER 2013
Here are the tests that you will amount of CRP in your blood Tests for infectious diseases
most likely see on the pathology suggests that you have an infection If you have had an infectious
request forms from your doctor. or inflammation - many infections disease in the past, it can be
They are all performed on blood and types of inflammation result reactivated during bDMARD
samples that will be investigated in CRP levels above 10 mg/L. A fall treatment. Your doctor will request
by the pathologists and scientists in CRP level in your blood tends to tests if you could be at risk.
in diagnostic pathology labs mean inflammation is decreasing.
• Hepatitis B and C serology
specialising in any one of a variety
FBC
of fields such as biochemistry, Testing prior to starting biologics
The Full Blood Count is one
immunology, microbiology and is necessary as these diseases may
of the most common tests
haematology. complicate biologic therapy.
requested by doctors because it
gives a good general picture of • QuantiFERON assay or
The Tests
someone’s health but it plays Mantoux test
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) a particular role in monitoring
Some biologics can reactivate
and/or C-reactive protein (CRP) bDMARD treatment. The FBC
latent (hidden but controlled in the
These tests give a measure of is performed by sophisticated
body) tuberculosis. Excluding this
the level of inflammation activity instruments that count the cells
is important prior to many biologic
and they can help your doctor in a blood sample and determine
therapies.
decide whether the drugs are their types by measuring physical
working. Your doctor will also use characteristics including size and • HIV screening
standardised clinical assessment shape. Thousands of white blood HIV infection may complicate
scores to help with this. cells, red blood cells, and platelets bDMARD therapy.
are counted and measured and
ESR Antinuclear antibody (ANA),
compared against established
Inflammation increases the antibody to ds-DNA (Anti-dsDNA),
normal ranges. As with many
amount of fibrinogen, a sticky rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-
types of pathology tests, results
protein found in blood. When the citrullinated peptide antibody
are interpreted according to
blood is taken out of the body the (anti-CCP)
their relation to a predetermined
red blood cells clump together. This is the series of pathology
reference range. When monitoring
This occurs in the blood collection tests routinely used to diagnose
treatment with bDMARDs, the
tube after a blood sample is drawn and monitor rheumatoid arthritis
FBC used to check if blood cell
– the red blood cells start to fall to (RA). They measure the key
production in the bone marrow is
the bottom of the tube. The rate autoantibodies associated with the
being depressed by the drugs.
of fall is termed the erythrocyte condition and help in evaluating
(red blood cell) sedimentation Electrolytes and Liver Function the effectiveness of bDMARD
rate. It can be measured in an tests (E/LFT) treatment. Testing for markers
ESR test. It is a non-specific E/LFT is an abbreviation for associated with lupus (SLE) are
sign of inflammation and is a combination of tests used carried out from time to time as
affected by many processes and to evaluate kidney and liver rarely some biologics can cause a
medications. Its use is mandated function. More than 20 tests are lupus like state.
in some instances to gain access to performed on a blood serum
Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
biologics in Australia though there sample that collectively gives a
Rituximab can depress levels of
is little scientific evidence for good assessment of multiple body
immunoglobulin (antibodies) –
this practise. systems. They give important
proteins in the blood that block
information about the kidneys,
CRP infection. If these were to be
liver, and electrolyte and acid-base
CRP is C-reactive protein, made in lowered, the risk of infection may
balance, as well as blood sugar and
the liver and blood vessels and is rise. If you are having rituximab
blood proteins, in order to evaluate
part of the ‘acute phase’ immune IgG will be tested periodically.
organ function and check for
system response to damage or
conditions such as liver and kidney Many of these tests need to be
infection. It is present in the blood
disease. repeated at intervals ranging from
in low amounts even in healthy
a few weeks to months (ESR, CRP,
persons. A high or increasing
FBC, E/LFT) to six monthly for IgG.
8
Visit www.labtestsonline.org.au
www.labtestsonline.org.au They believe it is essential you have At Lab Tests Online you’ll find:
access to accurate, non-commercial
is a free, not-for-profit, Australian • information on hundreds of
and trustworthy information on the
website, delivering independent laboratory tests, cross-linked to the
internet. Information on Lab Tests
information written by working diseases and conditions they are used
Online AU has been written by some
pathologists and scientists. to screen for, diagnose and treat
of Australia’s leading pathologists
Knowing what your pathology tests and scientists. The website has been • feature articles that interpret complex
do and why they have been requested developed by one of pathology’s peak scientific concepts to make them easy
by your doctor can be an important bodies, the Australasian Association to understand
advantage in understanding just what of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) with
• a general overview of pathology
is going on in terms of your health. Lab support from the Royal College of
laboratories, the way they work and
Tests Online Australasia is an award- Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). It
the people who work in them
winning website that explains pathology has been funded by the Commonwealth
simply and clearly. Government. • r egular news updates from the world
of pathology and laboratory medicine
Their aim is to help you understand the
pathology of your condition so you’ll A free app is available through iStore
be better equipped to have productive and Google Play Store.
conversations with your doctors and
health professionals and that you’ll
be able to make informed decisions
in managing your health. Research
around the world has repeatedly shown
that people who are personally involved
in their healthcare decisions have better
outcomes.
Arthritis Today | WINTER 2013
P
r
e
s
i
d
41st Annual
e
President’s
n
t Report
s

R Dr Jack Edelman, MBBS FRACP
President, Arthritis and
e
Osteoporosis WA
p
o
I am pleased to report
that the staff and
r
volunteers of Arthritis
t
& Osteoporosis WA
continue to work as
hard as ever in assisting
those people with bone
and Joint disease. We
concluded 2012, our
40th year, with a small
surplus of approximately
$60,000 on an income
of just over $2.3 million.
Arthritis and
Osteoporosis WA
(AOWA) is the only
organisation in Western
Australia that is
solely dedicated to
helping those with
bone and joint disease.
AOWA has a record
of offering quality
health promotion and
service programs to the
consumer with arthritis,
osteoporosis and related
conditions, throughout
the state of WA.
10