International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2014; 17: 486–487
RHEUMATOLOGY NEWS & VIEWS FROM APLAR REGION
APLAR CONGRESS 2013 IN BALI The APLAR congress 2013 was held from 29 August to 1 September 2013 in Bali, Indonesia in conjunction with the 2nd Indonesia–Japan Rheumatology Forum jointly organized by APLAR, Indonesia Rheumatism Association and the Japan Institute of Rheumatology. In addition, APLAR also celebrated its 50th Year Foundation Anniversary during the Symposium. Over 1300 participants from 56 countries including delegates, faculty members, exhibitors, sponsors and members of the press attended the symposium. There were six plenary lectures, 18 scientific symposia, three ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions, one ultrasound workshop, one review course and 54 oral paper presentations as well as 220 poster presentations.
including delegates, faculty members, exhibitors and sponsors from 45 different countries.
ASIA LUPUS SUMMIT The Asia Lupus Summit was held from 31 March to 1 April 2014 in Cebu prior to the main program of the APLAR congress. This event was held in partnership with Lupus Academy, Asia Pacific Lupus Collaborations (APLC) and the Lupus Inspired Advocacy (LUISA). There were workshops on management issues in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as lectures on diagnosis and treatment of SLE.
APLAR CONGRESS 2014 IN CEBU
REIMBURSEMENT CRITERIA FOR TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR (TNF) INHIBITORS REVISED IN KOREA
The APLAR congress 2014 was held in Cebu in the Philippines from 31 March to 4 April 2014 with the theme of ‘Sustainable Rheumatology in Asia’. The meeting showcased issues unique to the APLAR region, such as diseases and outcomes affected by ethnicity, socio-economic and cultural factors, infections and so on. The congress featured highly respected speakers on scientific advancements that impacted the future of rheumatology and musculoskeletal diseases. There were pre-congress workshops on basic and intermediate level musculoskeletal ultrasound courses and the scientific program covered topics from bench to bedside, adult and pediatric rheumatology and ‘meet the expert’ sessions. The congress attracted over 1200 participants,
National Health Insurance reimbursement criteria for TNF inhibitor use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been revised and applied to clinical practice since the beginning of this year. The revised criteria applied 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for the diagnosis of RA and DAS28 for evaluation for clinical response in accordance with international societies. It had been difficult for most active RA patients to meet the old reimbursement criteria that required fulfillment of certain erythrocyte sedimentation rate / C-reactive protein levels and at least 20 active joints or six active joints if four areas of large joints were involved. Through this reform, Korean rheumatologists are enthusiastic about providing better and targeted care for their RA patients.
APLAR congress in Bali
© 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
News and Views
rheumatology symposia and international concurrent workshops in addition to local presentations.
KOREAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY MEETING IN SEOUL The 34th Korean College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting and the 8th International symposium will be held May 16–17, 2014. The conference is an important forum for exchange in scientific ideas and knowledge among participants through interactive workshops, oral and poster sessions and invited lectures.
APLAR congress in Cebu
NEW GUIDELINES ON BIOLOGICS IN SINGAPORE The Singapore Chapter of Rheumatologists, College of Physicians, has formulated and adopted new guidelines for the use of biologic drugs in RA, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. The guidelines were developed through an evidence-based consensus approach by a core working group and expert task force panel comprised of experienced rheumatologists from both private and public hospitals. The Ministry of Health in Singapore has endorsed the guidelines and these will form the basis for approval of government funding for these expensive drugs. It is hoped that the guidelines will make biologic drugs more accessible and their use more equitable for patients in need.
AUSTRALIAN RHEUMATOLOGY SOCIETY The 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Rheumatology Association will be held 17–20 May 2014 in Hobart, Tasmania. The meeting will feature some common Victoria-Tasmania interest areas, including osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and models of care in rheumatology. There will also be a pediatric satellite meeting.
JAPAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY MEETING IN TOKYO The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan College of Rheumatology (JCR) was held in Tokyo, Japan 24–26 April 2014. There was international concurrent
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2014; 17: 486–487
JOSEF SMOLEN IN HONG KONG Professor Josef Smolen was invited to Hong Kong and delivered a talk on ‘New Aspects in EULAR Recommendations in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis’ on 24 February 2014. Other than updating the audience of the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology on the EULAR guideline, his talk raised critical thoughts on issues including the choice between triple therapy and biologic agents and the use of biologic monotherapy in RA patients refractory to methotrexate monotherapy.
IRAQI RHEUMATOLOGY CONFERENCE The Iraqi Society of Rheumatic Diseases Conferences was held in Erbil, Iraq during 10–12 April. This was a landmark conference as it was the first in the country after the United States occupation of Iraq in 2003.
MALAYSIA RHEUMATOLOGY MEETING IN AUGUST Malaysia Society of Rheumatology is celebrating its silver jubilee this year. In conjunction with this, the 15th Rheumatology Workshop organized by Malaysian Society of Rheumatology and Singapore Society of Rheumatology will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 22–24 August 2014 with the theme of Rheumatology Across Ages. Temy Mo Yin MOK Associate Editor, IJRD For anyone who would like to report any News and Views from your country, please write to Dr Temy Mok, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. E-mail: [email protected]
487
Copyright of International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
RHEUMATOLOGY NEWS & VIEWS FROM APLAR REGION
APLAR CONGRESS 2013 IN BALI The APLAR congress 2013 was held from 29 August to 1 September 2013 in Bali, Indonesia in conjunction with the 2nd Indonesia–Japan Rheumatology Forum jointly organized by APLAR, Indonesia Rheumatism Association and the Japan Institute of Rheumatology. In addition, APLAR also celebrated its 50th Year Foundation Anniversary during the Symposium. Over 1300 participants from 56 countries including delegates, faculty members, exhibitors, sponsors and members of the press attended the symposium. There were six plenary lectures, 18 scientific symposia, three ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions, one ultrasound workshop, one review course and 54 oral paper presentations as well as 220 poster presentations.
including delegates, faculty members, exhibitors and sponsors from 45 different countries.
ASIA LUPUS SUMMIT The Asia Lupus Summit was held from 31 March to 1 April 2014 in Cebu prior to the main program of the APLAR congress. This event was held in partnership with Lupus Academy, Asia Pacific Lupus Collaborations (APLC) and the Lupus Inspired Advocacy (LUISA). There were workshops on management issues in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as lectures on diagnosis and treatment of SLE.
APLAR CONGRESS 2014 IN CEBU
REIMBURSEMENT CRITERIA FOR TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR (TNF) INHIBITORS REVISED IN KOREA
The APLAR congress 2014 was held in Cebu in the Philippines from 31 March to 4 April 2014 with the theme of ‘Sustainable Rheumatology in Asia’. The meeting showcased issues unique to the APLAR region, such as diseases and outcomes affected by ethnicity, socio-economic and cultural factors, infections and so on. The congress featured highly respected speakers on scientific advancements that impacted the future of rheumatology and musculoskeletal diseases. There were pre-congress workshops on basic and intermediate level musculoskeletal ultrasound courses and the scientific program covered topics from bench to bedside, adult and pediatric rheumatology and ‘meet the expert’ sessions. The congress attracted over 1200 participants,
National Health Insurance reimbursement criteria for TNF inhibitor use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been revised and applied to clinical practice since the beginning of this year. The revised criteria applied 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for the diagnosis of RA and DAS28 for evaluation for clinical response in accordance with international societies. It had been difficult for most active RA patients to meet the old reimbursement criteria that required fulfillment of certain erythrocyte sedimentation rate / C-reactive protein levels and at least 20 active joints or six active joints if four areas of large joints were involved. Through this reform, Korean rheumatologists are enthusiastic about providing better and targeted care for their RA patients.
APLAR congress in Bali
© 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
News and Views
rheumatology symposia and international concurrent workshops in addition to local presentations.
KOREAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY MEETING IN SEOUL The 34th Korean College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting and the 8th International symposium will be held May 16–17, 2014. The conference is an important forum for exchange in scientific ideas and knowledge among participants through interactive workshops, oral and poster sessions and invited lectures.
APLAR congress in Cebu
NEW GUIDELINES ON BIOLOGICS IN SINGAPORE The Singapore Chapter of Rheumatologists, College of Physicians, has formulated and adopted new guidelines for the use of biologic drugs in RA, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. The guidelines were developed through an evidence-based consensus approach by a core working group and expert task force panel comprised of experienced rheumatologists from both private and public hospitals. The Ministry of Health in Singapore has endorsed the guidelines and these will form the basis for approval of government funding for these expensive drugs. It is hoped that the guidelines will make biologic drugs more accessible and their use more equitable for patients in need.
AUSTRALIAN RHEUMATOLOGY SOCIETY The 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Rheumatology Association will be held 17–20 May 2014 in Hobart, Tasmania. The meeting will feature some common Victoria-Tasmania interest areas, including osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and models of care in rheumatology. There will also be a pediatric satellite meeting.
JAPAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY MEETING IN TOKYO The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan College of Rheumatology (JCR) was held in Tokyo, Japan 24–26 April 2014. There was international concurrent
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2014; 17: 486–487
JOSEF SMOLEN IN HONG KONG Professor Josef Smolen was invited to Hong Kong and delivered a talk on ‘New Aspects in EULAR Recommendations in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis’ on 24 February 2014. Other than updating the audience of the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology on the EULAR guideline, his talk raised critical thoughts on issues including the choice between triple therapy and biologic agents and the use of biologic monotherapy in RA patients refractory to methotrexate monotherapy.
IRAQI RHEUMATOLOGY CONFERENCE The Iraqi Society of Rheumatic Diseases Conferences was held in Erbil, Iraq during 10–12 April. This was a landmark conference as it was the first in the country after the United States occupation of Iraq in 2003.
MALAYSIA RHEUMATOLOGY MEETING IN AUGUST Malaysia Society of Rheumatology is celebrating its silver jubilee this year. In conjunction with this, the 15th Rheumatology Workshop organized by Malaysian Society of Rheumatology and Singapore Society of Rheumatology will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 22–24 August 2014 with the theme of Rheumatology Across Ages. Temy Mo Yin MOK Associate Editor, IJRD For anyone who would like to report any News and Views from your country, please write to Dr Temy Mok, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. E-mail: [email protected]
487
Copyright of International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
