Date: 23 February 2009

MENZIES LAUNCHES ATTACK ON ARTHRITIS

Researchers at the Menzies Research Institute are launching three new participant–based arthritis studies to help address the serious health issue of arthritis in Tasmania.

Arthritis affects over 20 per cent of the Tasmanian population.

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability and pain in Australia, with 3.85 million Australians affected by the condition. Nearly one in five Australians has arthritis.

Arthritis was declared a National Health Priority in Australia in 2002. It costs the economy about $23.9 billion a year.

By 2050, it is projected there will be 7 million Australians with arthritis.

Arthritis is the name given to a group of over 100 medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically joints. These conditions damage the joints, usually resulting in pain and stiffness.

Menzies’ Research Fellow Dr Jane Zochling will lead three new participant-based studies here in Tasmania, investigating three forms of arthritis - Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), scleroderma and psoriatic arthritis. 

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the fourth most common arthritis in Australia, but often goes unrecognised until years after the first symptoms appear.  Symptoms usually start appearing between the ages of 15 and 40 years old.

Dr Zochling said while there was currently no cure for AS, a great amount of effort was being directed by Menzies towards improving the wellbeing of patients and their families.

“Menzies has set up the Tasmanian Ankylosing Spondylitis Study (TASS) to research AS numbers in Tasmania, improve early diagnosis, and identify what characteristics may suggest a good or bad long term outcome for AS sufferers,” Dr Zochling said.

“The aim of our work is to put in place a structure for early diagnosis and early treatment of people suffering from AS in Tasmania,” she said.

“By identifying AS patients early, who may do poorly with their disease, we are able to intervene with appropriate treatments and make a difference in these people’s lives,” she said.

Dr Zochling said the Menzies Research Institute urgently needed Tasmanians to get involved with the new studies, and help address this serious health issue.

Tasmanian Lynn Brooke has two sons, 23-year-old Cameron and 21-year-old Duncan, who both have been living with AS since they were teenagers.

“It’s really tough to see your children in a situation like this,” said Lynn. “The whole experience has been extremely difficult and life changing.”

Cameron and Duncan now have their AS under control with appropriate medication, but this hasn’t always been the case.  Duncan did not instantly meet the criteria for the medication he needed to help reduce the crippling pain, stiffness and exhaustion he was suffering from on a daily basis.

Medication for AS has also only been available in Australia in the last 5 years.
Lynn, Cameron, Duncan and their sister Lauren have all signed up to participate in the new AS study, that begun in early January.

“We are more than happy to participate in this new study and help Menzies with this important research,” Cameron said.

“We are very grateful for the work that Menzies is doing to help families likes ours living with AS.”

The participant-based studies will be held around the state, including Launceston and the North West, with the main clinics at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Menzies Research Institute, Hobart.

Anyone interested in volunteering for any one of the three studies should contact Trish Lewis, Menzies Research Institute on 03 6226 7776 or free call 1800 638 124.

Funding bodies that supported the development of our AS participant-based study include the Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Rheumatology Association, Arthritis Australia and AS patients who raised funds through the Ascent to Kilimanjaro challenge.

Released by:
Fiona Horwood
Communications and Events
Menzies Research Institute
Tel: 6226 7751