Efficacy of Intra Articular Steroid Injection and Platelet Rich Plasma in Patients with Osteoarthrithis

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intra-articular steroid injection and Platelet rich plasma in patients with Osteoarthrithis. Methodology: A randomized controlled trail study was conducted at Rheumatology Division of the Department of Medicine, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad after the acceptance of synopsis from  . A total of 122 adult patients with unilateral or bilateral osteoarthritis of knee and were randomized into two treatment groups. In Group I, patients received intra-articular steroid injections and in Group II, patients received platelet rich plasma (PRP). WOMAC score was calculated at baseline and was subsequently assessed after 06 weeks and 3 months. Results: Age and gender distribution and mean WOMAC and VAS scores were similar in both groups at baseline (p>0.05).  At six weeks, mean WOMAC score in steroid group was 32.1 ± 24.1 and it was 24.9 ± 21.3 in PRP group (P=0.084).  Mean VAS in steroid group was 4.5 ± 2.5 and it was 3.9 ± 2.6 in PRP group (P=0.0.158).  At three months, mean WOMAC score in steroid group was 39.1 ± 24.3 SD and it was 27.1 ± 21.9 SD in PRP group (P=0.005).  At three months, mean VAS in steroid group was 5.6 ± 2.6 and it was 4.1 ± 2.7 in PRP group (P=0.003).  Conclusions: The study outcomes were better in patients treated with PRP as compared to intra-articular steroid injection. Mean WMOAC and VAS scores were significantly lower after three months in PRP group as compared to steroid group

Coalition for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)—a protocol for a global cross-sectional survey of health and gender equity in rheumatology

Lay Summary: What does this mean for patients? The CHANGE Study, led by a team of rheumatology professionals worldwide, is working to make health care more equal for everyone. We are focusing on challenges faced by rheumatologists, such as fair pay and career opportunities. To understand these issues better, the team is gathering information through a global survey of rheumatology professionals. The goal is to find out why there are differences and come up with solutions. Ultimately, the aim is to create a fair and inclusive environment in rheumatology, ensuring that everyone has the same chances to grow in their careers, regardless of their gender. The findings of the study will help to create better guidelines, promoting fairness and equality for health-care professionals in rheumatology

The Impact of Social Media on Vaccination:A Narrative Review

Vaccine hesitancy poses a significant global health challenge, fueled by misinformation and anti-vaccination campaigns on social media platforms (SMPs). This study examines the influence of social media on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 vaccination in Asia during the peri-pandemic period. Through a comprehensive analysis of available literature, we aim to elucidate the role of SMPs in shaping vaccination attitudes and behaviors. The findings highlight the detrimental impact of social media on vaccination efforts and provide insights into addressing vaccine hesitancy during this critical period. A narrative review was conducted by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from inception to May 26, 2022. Only English-language articles involving human participants from Asian countries were included in this review. Out of the 228 articles identified through the database search, 14 articles were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy or negative attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines in Asian countries was found to be high, ranging from 20% to 55% across countries. Notably, reliance on SMPs for vaccine-related information was associated with a higher likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. This trend coincided with the proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories that portrayed COVID-19 vaccines as harmful during the pandemic. Similar patterns were observed for other types of vaccines, including polio, measles mumps and rubella, and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines. The use of SMPs was also found to be associated with increased fear among caregivers in Asian countries, as well as a 3-4 times higher likelihood of delayed immunization. SMPs negatively impact vaccine intent in Asia due to misinformation and anti-vaccination campaigns during the pandemic. However, they can be a powerful tool for healthcare providers and policymakers to promote informed decision-making. Efforts should focus on leveraging SMPs to disseminate reliable information and combat hesitancy, fostering a well-informed and vaccinated population in Asia.</p

Gender equity in rheumatology leadership in the Asia-Pacific

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore gender equity in rheumatology leadership in the Asia-Pacific region as represented by the member national organizations (MNOs) of the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional review of gender representation among the presidents of MNOs of APLAR in April 2022. We used the official website of each organization to acquire names and terms in the office of current and past presidents of each organization. The binary gender of each president was estimated using the name-to-gender inference platform Gender API (https://gender-api.com/). Proportions of male and female presidents were estimated for each organization. Data were compared for presidencies commencing before and in/after the year 2000. RESULTS: We found a significant gap in gender parity, with most presidents in the region being men (210 of 252, 83%). More than one-third (7 of 19, 36.8%) of the MNOs had all male presidents, although the proportion of women improved from 7 to 25% in/after 2000 (P = 0.0002). A statistically significant increase in female representation was observed in Australia (P = 0.0268, from 7 to 39%) and New Zealand (P = 0.0011, where the proportion of female presidents increased from 0 to 45%), but not in other countries. CONCLUSION: A significant gap in gender parity exists in rheumatology leadership in the MNOs of APLAR. Trends suggest improvement over the last two decades, although statistically significant improvement is limited to a small number of countries