Brussels, 16/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 16 October in Brussels, experts, researchers, patients and European and national political decision-makers met up to draw attention to musculoskeletal and rheumatoid problems and to call for a European wide action plan to fight against these ailments. The event was organised by the Musculoskeletal Health Alliance, as part of the Musculoskeletal Health Days on 15-17 October.
Musculoskeletal and rheumatoid problems (which include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, musculoskeletal trauma and general back pains) affect more than 120 million people in the European Union and account for €240 billion in lost revenue every year. During this high-level event, participants highlighted the need to implement prevention and awareness campaigns about this phenomenon. Pierre Hoffmeyer, the president of the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) declared that, “research and innovation in the field of musculoskeletal and rheumatoid problems has been vital to improving the prevention of these conditions, as well as for developing more cost-effective, safer therapies; but there are still many unmet needs”. Professor Maxime Dougados, the president of the European Union League against Rheumatism (EULAR) said that it was necessary to develop the basis of a European roadmap for research and innovation in the area of musculoskeletal and rheumatoid problems, in an effort to tackle the major challenges affecting scientific activity in this area. He referred to, “insufficient consensus over research priorities, the lack of coordination regarding national research teams, insufficient collaboration between scientists, health professionals and industry, as well as a recurrent lack of investment”. The conference is expected to close with the adoption of comprehensive recommendations addressed to European institutions and the member states, as a means to improve prevention and encourage political decisions in the area of musculoskeletal and rheumatoid issues. (IL/trans.fl)