|
OARSI
9th World Congress
|
Osteoarthritis professionals from around the world gathered for the 9 th World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) to present the most recent advances in osteoarthritic diseases, a leading cause of disability in older individuals.
More than 600 attendees from nearly 50 countries, representing all disciplines with an interest in osteoarthritis, actively participated at the formal presentations and took full advantage of the opportunity to network in one of America ’s greatest cities, Chicago .
Highlights included a keynote address, scientific research sessions, new breakfast workshops, oral and poster presentations, and a Special Recognition Award presentation to Gordon and Carole Segal, co-founders of Crate and Barrel, for their significant contributions to OA research.
The congress opened with a session on advancements in the application of MRI in OA. Following this were keynote addresses from Charles J. Menkes and Michel Lequesne who presented “What Makes a Rheumatologist Run? Pain and Aches of New Medical Society” and “How to Survive 50 Years of Rheumatology” respectively.
Attendees raved over the late breaking session of special interest entitled “COX-2 UPDATE: Impact on OA Guidelines?” In light of recent events, the OARSI planning committee decided to offer a special symposium to address these considerations relative to coxibs as a class. This panel discussion covered recent reports of cardiovascular complications associated with the coxibs, the subject of several recent studies and publications in medical journals.
Other sessions covered a variety of research and educational topics from imaging and epidemiology to genetics and biomechanics and aging. Highlights included presentations on cutting edge techniques on visualizing and quantifying the key tissue involved in OA, pain and disability, and important studies on the role of obesity, an epidemic in the U.S. and a risk factor for OA.
In addition to the extraordinary scientific highlights, Congress participants also enjoyed an opening reception and a gala dinner at the famous Mid-America Club. Overall the OARSI 9 th World Congress was one of scientific collaboration, progress, and dynamic networking with leading professionals in the field of osteoarthritis.