SER-OARSI Symposium 2023

Welcome Letter

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent rheumatic disease in the elderly population. Although it is not fatal, it significantly impacts the quality of life of those who suffer from it. According to the EPISER2016 study, conducted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, 29.3% of the population over 40 years of age presents joint changes compatible with osteoarthritis in some of their joints. OA is the leading cause of disability in Spain, 80% of people with OA have movement restrictions and 25% are unable to perform some activities of daily living. Moreover, 11% of adults with OA need help with personal care and 14% need help with daily living needs. Furthermore, osteoarthritis has a high economic cost for the National Health System. The ArtRoCad study (carried out in 2007) estimated the cost of these pathologies for the entire year 2007 at 4,738 million euros, equivalent to 0.5% of the Spanish GDP. However, taking into account the gradual increase in life expectancy and the obesity epidemic, the number of patients with osteoarthritis is expected to double in the next 30 years and, therefore, the costs will increase exponentially. However, the process of diagnosing early osteoarthritis and the therapeutic options for these patients still have significant limitations.

Advances in molecular biology and technological development are allowing personalised and precision medicine to become a reality in everyday clinical practice in some areas.  This personalised and precision medicine can undoubtedly help find answers to two of the main problems currently faced by OA patients: early diagnosis of the disease and treatment of joint deterioration.

With the aim of analysing the current situation of personalised and precision medicine in knee osteoarthritis, a symposium will be held in A Coruña on 23 and 24 June 2023. This symposium is organised by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), a scientific association that aims to foster knowledge of rheumatic pathologies by encouraging medical training, developing research studies in Rheumatology and promoting the dissemination and knowledge of these conditions among the general population; together with the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), the leading international organisation of scientists and health professionals focused on the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis through the promotion and presentation of research, education and the worldwide dissemination of new knowledge.

The symposium will bring together leading experts in OA and personalised medicine from around the world. The organisers and experts hope this symposium will help professionals working with OA patients learn more about all the possibilities that precision medicine can offer them.

Dr Francisco J. Blanco

Scientific Organising Committee of the Symposium