AP has 30 lakh arthritis patients

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh has over 30 lakh arthritis patients with East Godavari leading with 3 lakh patients. East Godavari is followed by Guntur with 2.9 lakh, Krishna 2.6 lakh and Visakhapatnam 2.3 lakh patients. Vizianagaram registered with least number of 1.15 lakh patients.

• East Godavari tops with 3 lakh patients followed by Guntur with 2.9 lakh, Krishna 2.6 lakh and Vizag 2.3 lakh
• Vizianagaram registered least number of 1.15 lakh patients
• Experts say arthritis is more common among adults aged 65 years or older

The statistics were discussed on World Arthritis Day, an awareness campaign, launched in the city on Thursday. The experts said it was becoming as common as diabetes and blood pressure, the two top killers in the country.

Experts said among the patients, one per cent are going for operation due to unbearable pain, 50 per cent of patients are forced to bear pain as the operation is very expensive. Some surgeries are also critical, said Dr P Ashok Kumar, professor in orthopaedic department, Andhra Medical College.

The in-charge principal secretary of health and family welfare Anil Puneeta said the government has been providing medication for arthritis patients and critical and expensive operations are available at all the major government hospitals in the state. The government also providing funds for the Knee transplant operations, he added.

According to specialists, rheumatic conditions are typically characterised by pain, aching, stiffness and swelling in and around one or more joints. The symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly. Certain rheumatic conditions can also involve immune system and various internal organs of the body. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (SLE), can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms.

Arthritis is more common among adults aged 65 years or older, but people of all ages (including children) can be affected, said senior surgeon and managing director of Amulya Hospitals Dr Seetha Ram Prasad.

Superintendent of King Gorge Hospital G Arjuna said about 38 operations conducted in the hospital with Rs 70 lakh were released by the State government to the orthopaedic knee transplant operations.

On an average, 350 to 400 patients are being checked at outpatient ward. “We have the best orthopaedic surgeons’ team in the State. We will try to increase the number of operations,’’ Arjuna said.

By Jatlee Dontala