Stronger than pain

THE OAFI FOUNDATION CELEBRATES THE 9TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS AND OSTEOPOROSIS. WITH THE SLOGAN ‘STRONGER THAN PAIN’, MORE THAN 500 PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS AND OSTEOPOROSIS GATHER IN BARCELONA TO BREAK THE SILENCE ON JOINT PAIN.

• On 22 and 23 October, the International Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis Foundation (OAFI) held the ninth edition of its international patient conference at the MGS Auditorium (Barcelona).
• With over 40 national and international speakers, the OAFI Congress has established itself as an international benchmark in osteoarticular health.
• During the conference, free screening and early detection tests for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis were offered, benefiting more than 100 people.
• Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis affect more than 10 million people in Spain, and 68% of those affected suffer from chronic pain associated with these conditions.

Barcelona, 27th of October. The International Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis Foundation (OAFI) On 22 and 23 October, the ninth edition of the OAFI International Patient Congress was held at the MGS Auditorium (Barcelona), dedicated to joint health, with the aim of informing, raising awareness and providing training on best practices for the prevention, research and treatment of these pathologies. Under the slogan ‘Stronger than pain’, more than 500 patients, healthcare professionals, institutions, representatives from the scientific field and patient associations gathered at this event, which, with more than 28 presentations and practical workshops on osteoarticular health, has established itself as an international benchmark.

The OAFI Congress brought together experts from different disciplines, from medicine, science and economics to spirituality and healthcare management, who offered a comprehensive view of joint health and the social impact of these pathologies. Among them were meteorologist and physicist Tomàs Molina and the Venerable Thubten Wangchen, a Buddhist monk and founder of the Casa del Tíbet in Barcelona.

Dr Dolors Navarro, Director of Patient Participation and Training at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital; Dr Marta Tejero Sánchez, Head of the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Section at Hospital del Mar; Prof. Santiago Niño Becerra, Professor at Ramon Llull University; Prof. Antoni Bulbena, Professor of Psychiatry at the Autonomous University of Barcelona; and Dr José María Villalón, Head of Medical Services at Atlético de Madrid, among others.

It also featured representatives from regulatory agencies such as Mr. Juan García Burgos, Head of Public and Stakeholder Engagement at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Sol Ruiz, Head of the Division of Biological Products, Advanced Therapies and Biotechnology at the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS).

In addition, it featured international representation from Françoise Alliot-Launois, president of the Association Française de Lutte Antirhumatismale (AFLAR – France) and Corné Baatenburg de Jong, director of ReumaNederland (Netherlands), creating a united front to improve the management of these diseases at an international level.

During the two days, attendees were also able to access free screening and prevention tests for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, which benefited more than 100 people, reaffirming OAFI’s commitment to prevention, education and patient empowerment, offering real solutions to this problem.

Osteoarticular pathologies, silent diseases:

Osteoarthritis It is a degenerative joint disease that affects the bone, cartilage and soft tissues of the joint. More than 595 million people worldwide and 7 million in Spain suffer from it. Its silent progression causes pain and loss of mobility, directly affecting independence and quality of life. It is a predominantly female condition: it affects 60% of women over the age of 50 and 80% of women over the age of 80. With an ageing population and low birth rates, its incidence is multiplying, costing more than £5.5 billion annually.

Osteoarthritis often coexists with other diseases such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, or fibromyalgia, as well as frequent comorbidities such as insomnia, anxiety, or cardiovascular risk, which aggravate pain and functional deterioration.

Osteoporosis, which affects more than 3 million people in Spain, weakens bones and quadruples the risk of fracture. However, 80% of women who suffer a fracture are undiagnosed, and 64% of those at risk do not receive preventive treatment. Fragility fractures remain a major cause of mortality: one in five women over the age of 65 dies within the first year after suffering one.

Their prevalence among women and their incorrect association as a natural part of ageing have meant that both diseases have been silenced and no long-term solutions have been provided to reverse their impact.

“Stronger than pain”, the ninth edition of the OAFI Patients World Congress

The prevention and early detection of osteoarticular diseases were the focus of this ninth edition, promoting initiatives such as the Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis Prevention Campaign, physical activity workshops and presentations focused on healthy lifestyle habits.

A key aspect of this prevention has been the relationship between oral health and osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis are twice as likely to suffer from periodontitis due to the deterioration of the jawbone, which becomes more porous and thin, which can lead to tooth loss or implant failure.

Dr Ingrid Möller, director of the Poal Institute of Rheumatology, and Dr Clara Esteban, medical director of the DONTE Group, stressed the importance of not waiting for pathologies to appear before taking care of oral health and of promoting active prevention from an early age. They also pointed out that the mouth can be the source of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Menopause was another central theme of #OAFICongress25, as it is a decisive stage in women’s osteoarticular health. Nutritionists Antonela Bávaro and Dr Laura Isabel Arranz emphasised the importance of a balanced, protein-rich diet, together with adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which are essential for bone strength, muscle function and rest. Omega-3 was also highlighted for its anti-inflammatory role and benefits for the cardiovascular system and joint pain.

For her part, Dr Marta Tejero, head of the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Section at Hospital del Mar, warned of the increase in obesity, which now affects 23.8% of the adult population in Spain. Excess weight not only increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, but also aggravates joint pain and reduces quality of life: 58% of adults with obesity suffer from chronic pain, compared to 39% of those of normal weight.

Chronic pain and fragility fractures were also key topics at the conference. According to data presented by Dr Dolors Navarro, 35.6% of people with chronic pain suffer from osteoarthritis, mainly affecting the back and joints. The impact on work is significant: more than a quarter of patients have had to take sick leave, and 44% have left their jobs due to pain.

As for fragility fractures, there are 285,000 cases per year in Spain (about 780 per day) and only 40% recover their previous independence. Of these, hip fractures are particularly serious: up to 30% of patients die within the first year after the fracture. In addition, a first fracture increases the risk of subsequent fractures by 86%, which is why prevention plays a fundamental role.

The OAFI Congress also addressed the influence of climate change on osteoarticular health, pointing out the increase in comorbidities and the incidence of so-called ‘barometric pain’, which aggravates joint symptoms in response to changes in pressure and temperature. In this context, Mr.Tomàs Molina highlighted the need to follow environmental health guidelines, which promote sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

A conference to empower patients and build community

The International Congress of Patients with Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis reaffirms OAFI’s role as a leading organisation in the defence, education and well-being of people with musculoskeletal disorders. With an inclusive, accessible and scientific approach, the meeting promoted dialogue between patients, professionals and organisations, fostering a more aware, active and healthy community. All the presentations from #OAFICongress25 will be available on the OAFI YouTube channel so that anyone interested can enjoy the congress online.