Rheumatology | Diseases | MIMS Singapore

Managing comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis in the new decade

Prof. Peter Taylor, Prof. Christopher Edwards, Dr. Lian Tsui Yee, 03 Nov 2021

Nearly half of all rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients suffer comorbidity, which has a negative impact on quality of life and mortality. At a recent scientific symposium, Professor Peter Taylor from the University of Oxford in Oxford, UK emphasized the importance of monitoring, preventing, and treating comorbidities in RA while Professor Christopher Edwards from the University Hospital Southampton in Southampton, UK focused on the impact of mental health in RA. The symposium was organized by Fresenius Kabi and held under the auspices of the Singapore Society of Rheumatology. Dr Lian Tsui Yee from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore chaired the event.

Updates in the Management of Osteoporotic Fracture Risk

Dr. Chionh Siok Bee, Dr. Charles A Inderjeeth, 29 Nov 2018

Osteoporosis is a bone condition characterized by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, consequently increasing bone fragility and fracture susceptibility.¹ Despite being a major cause of death and disability, osteoporosis is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated in Asia.² At a recent symposium supported by the Osteoporosis Society (Singapore) and organized by Amgen, local expert Dr Chionh Siok Bee presented an overview of the fracture landscape in Singapore, while internationally renowned guest speaker Dr Charles A Inderjeeth discussed the importance of identifying and managing osteoporosis fracture risk, with a focus on the role of antiresorptive agent denosumab.

AZD7442 (tixagevimab–cilgavimab) prevents COVID-19 in high-risk populations

Dr. Leong Hoe Nam, Dr. Behram Ali Khan, Dr. See Hui Ti, Dr. Yoon Kam Hon, 12 Oct 2022

Though most COVID-19 safe management measures have been lifted in Singapore, the pandemic continues to adversely impact the lives of immunocompromised patients at high risk of severe infection.

“It has been an absolute misery for these patients and their families,” said Dr Leong Hoe Nam, Infectious Disease Specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore. “The virus is an unseen enemy that may strike unexpectedly. The strike may kill, or if not, maim the individual. Patients isolate themselves for fear of getting infected while their family members fear bringing the illness back home.”

Immunocompromised patients are those with suppressed immunity resulting from health conditions, including solid organ and haematological cancers, end-stage kidney and liver disease, organ or bone marrow transplants, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, or those on active treatment with immunosuppressive medications. [Expert Rev Vaccines 2022;1-17; BMJ 2021;374:n2098]