Rheumatology Specialist Dr. Şule Ketenci Ertaş, giving information about arthritis disease, said, “Arthritis is a condition that goes with pain, redness, swelling and limitation of movement in the joints. It is not a disease alone. As well as being a symptom of chronic rheumatic diseases, there are types of arthritis that can develop after influenza, covid and infections and can be temporary.”
Rheumatology Dr. Specialist Şule Ketenci Ertaş from Acıbadem Kayseri Hospital gave information about the disease on the occasion of 'October 12 World Arthritis Day'. Ertaş said, “Arthritis manifests itself with pain, redness, swelling and limitation of movement in the joints. It is not a disease alone. There are arthritis that can be a symptom of chronic rheumatic diseases, as well as arthritis that can develop and be temporary after flu, covid and infections. But arthritis associated with rheumatic diseases is chronic arthritis. Since 1996, October 12 has been declared World Arthritis Day to raise awareness about arthritis. This is because arthritis can cause permanent damage when left untreated for a long time and when it is too late. By raising awareness, the aim is to increase the rate of early diagnosis and prevent permanent damage. Of course, in this process, not only medical problems but also psychological or social negative effects of patients should be prevented.”
Şule Ketenci Ertaş said, “One of the undesirable consequences of arthritis is that a student is kept away from school or an employee loses his/her workforce.” “Arthritis or rheumatic diseases are not limited to the musculoskeletal system. There are also vasculitis affecting the vessels or rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus and Sjögren's syndrome affecting the kidneys, skin and salivary glands. The first presenting complaint of these diseases may again be arthritis. Patients may also come to us with the complaint of arthritis in gout. Pain and arthritis is one of the most common reasons for presentation. We try to find the cause. We take a history, use tests and imaging methods to make the diagnosis. After making the diagnosis, we give the appropriate treatment. We want to draw the attention of the society to arthritis because we have the chance to treat it without permanent damage, without causing disability, without disrupting the patient's quality of life.”
