Report on the First PANLAR Rheumatology Review Course Rheumatoid Arthritis: Challenges and Solutions in Latin America.

The First PANLAR Rheumatology Review Course was held in Barranquilla, Colombia, in April 2015. Researchers, rheumatologists, epidemiologists, and a variety of allied professionals and patients attended the meeting. The scientific program included plenary sessions and symposia delivered by renowned experts in the field, followed by an interactive forum of discussion during 2 days.A broad spectrum of topics was discussed, reflecting the current challenges and opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Latin America. The scientific program included not only traditional disease aspects, but also social implications, research projects, and educational characteristics, patient perspectives, and novel care models, emphasizing the need for training human resources and proposing unique approaches to RA health care in Latin America, therefore helping us to increase and improve the knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of this health condition in the region, thus promoting and encouraging equity, quality, and efficiency of RA health care.

Artritis reumatoide como enfermedad de alto costo / Rheumatoid arthritis as hight costs disease

La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, progresiva, incapacitante y multifactorial, asociada con altos costos directos e indirectos, mala calidad de vida y muerte prematura. Los objetivos del presente artículo son demostrar que; 1. Las enfermedades músculo-esqueléticas son un problema de salud en Colombia y en el mundo. 2. La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad compleja que incrementa la mortalidad, morbilidad e incapacidad del paciente, y es altamente costosa para el individuo y la sociedad. 3. El diagnóstico y tratamiento temprano con la implementación de programas especiales (ej.: Clínicas de Artritis Tempranas) pueden disminuir y racionalizar el impacto de la enfermedad en el sistema de salud