TALK OVER RA – A Global Perspective on Remission and Rheumatoid Arthritis – UK
Dr. Ayman Askari unfortunately does not have a current updated bio online but he is a consultant rheumatologist from the UK who has been in practice since 1984 and is currently a lead clinician at a hospital in the UK. Previously held appointments in a variety of locations including London, Christchurch, Basingstoke, Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Belfast, Barnsley, North Manchester, Tameside, Dumfries Galloway and Sheffield.
He is incredibly experienced, knowledgeable and inclusive of patients being involved in research and advocacy. Despite being in practice for many years he is eager to attend current scientific conferences making his knowledge increase each year.
Why this idea?
Talk Over RA is a campaign to help those with Rheumatoid arthritis improve their communications with their rheumatologist around remission but that’s a sometimes unclear concept for many, myself included in my early years of diagnosis.
For the 2023 Talk Over RA campaign I have decided to interview as many rheumatologists from around the world on what remission for rheumatoid arthritis is. My aim is to provide a small global perspective on what exactly remission is and if there are difference based on location.
This idea came to me after attending the Canadian, American, and European scientific conferences in person and online for the last 5 years. I really like learning from the experts in their field and from around the globe. I hope you learn something from this project you can use in your journey with rheumatoid arthritis or even other types of inflammatory arthritis, wherever you are in the world.
UK Connection
I first met Dr. Ayman in 2019 at my first American College of Rheumatology conference in Atlanta, GA through another patient advocate. I’ve never meta rheumatologist so engaged with patients from all over. I’ve been able to connect with him at the 2022 ACR in Philadelphia (where this photo of us was taken), in 2023 at EULAR in Milan, Italy and recently in San Diego California for ACR23. Hopefully next year we are presenting together at ACR24 in Washington DC.
What we go over in this video interview
- How are the clinical guidelines for remission for rheumatoid arthritis different or the same between the UK and the US?
- What is remission and Is there a one size fits all for remission?
- How long does remission typically last? What causes someone to fall out of remission?
- Can you still have pain, fatigue or cognitive dysfunction and be in remission? Why?
- What comorbidities get in the way of remission?
- Can you stop medication if you reach remission?
- Are remission rates increasing? Why?
- Does lifestyle play a role in remission?
- Early and effective treatment is important for those with RA. For many patients it takes time to find the right medication for us, for those that it takes years to, can we still reach remission? Any populations more likely to achieve remission?
- What are some important questions patients can ask their rheumatologist around remission? Is there anything else you feel is important for patients to know?
Download The Talk Over RA Discussion Guide
TalkOverRA is a platform that aims to empower people living with rheumatoid arthritis to advocate for themselves and their healthcare needs. It provides resources, community support, and tools to help individuals communicate effectively with their doctors and healthcare providers. The campaign emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and provides tips for assertive communication and asking the right questions.
2023 Talk Over RA Content
- Patient Leaders Talk Over RA Video
- Canada – Dr. Cheryl Barnabe
- United States – Dr. Jen Barton
- Brazil – Dr. André Luiz Luquini Pereira
- UK – Dr. Ayman Askari
- Talk Over RA 2020 – 2023 Recap
- Talk Over RA – Important Questions To Ask Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Team
- Talk Over RA – Understanding Obesity and Remission with Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Talk Over RA – What I Learned About Remission and Rheumatoid Arthritis At The 2023 American College of Rheumatology Conference
Be sure to follow the other Talk Over RA Advocates!
- Lene Andersen –@theseatedview
- Julia McNally –@the.ra.yogi
- Michael Kuluva – @michaelkuluva
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