“When the burden of illness becomes unbearable, you need to fully understand your pain, to accept and overcome it. Because beyond what you see and hear, under the surface, there are dreams, a soul and a world to carry. uncovered”. This is the message suggested by ‘Under the surface’, a song signed and interpreted by the singer-songwriter Virginio, presented in view of the World Day of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, which is celebrated on 29 October. A text inspired by the words of the sick themselves. The song, in fact, was born in the countryside ‘Give me 6 words. The story of psoriatic arthritis “, promoted by Amgen, in collaboration with the National Association of Rheumatic Patients (Anmar) and the National Association of People with Rheumatological and Rare Diseases (Apmarr).
Acceptance, pain, restlessness, limitation, hope, determination are the 6 words that patients have indicated through a contest to describe their coexistence with the disease. “I was inspired by the words of patients – declares Virginio – to write a strong and contemporary piece, with a text capable of touching the deepest chords and at the same time accessible to all, patients and non-patients. ‘Under the surface’ speaks of ‘to go further, to overcome the pain and to dig until you recognize yourself for who you are. Music can be a cure, which helps us to overcome difficult times and to feel less alone. I hope this song can help all patients to feel understood and to better accept some aspects of their condition that sometimes it is difficult to realize “. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can involve the joints, skin and tendons with six types of manifestations. In Italy it affects about 300 thousand people. If not diagnosed promptly and properly treated, it can lead to major disabilities, with a significant deterioration in the quality of life.
The collaboration between rheumatologist and dermatologist and an in-depth evaluation play a key role in the patient’s diagnostic path. “Today patients can obtain a significant improvement in the short, medium and long term provided that there is a certain diagnosis and adequate treatment”, explains Roberto Caporali, professor of Rheumatology at the University of Milan – the ideal path passes first for the family doctor, to whom the patient must refer at the first symptoms to be referred by the rheumatologist, who will make further investigations to confirm the diagnosis and establish an appropriate treatment as soon as possible. In the event that arthropathy is associated with psoriasis, the referring specialist will be the dermatologist who, after the tests, will prescribe the most appropriate therapy. The patient must be monitored over time to verify that the therapies give the desired results “.
“Depending on the area involved, which can be the spine, hips, knees, hands or shoulders, there is an important physical limitation. In addition, this pathology is often associated with comorbidities, one for all, psoriasis , which, as a skin disease, represents a stigma for the patient’s personal and psychological life – explains Silvia Tonolo, president of Anmar – all this has important repercussions on the quality of life, also because usually patients when they discover they have the chronic disease I am still in a productive age and in the midst of social and emotional life “.
The campaign aims to encourage patients to overcome the sense of mistrust, making the most of the resources that can help them get their lives back in their hands. “Two fundamental resources for the patient are the therapeutic possibilities and the relationship with the specialist, in this case the rheumatologist, who can help the patient understand how not to be influenced by the disease – comments Antonella Celano, President of Apmarr – but there are many others important resources: moderate physical activity, always on the advice of the doctor, is always a valid tool because it improves mood and keeps the joints active. Follow a healthy diet, avoid stress, meet friends and not isolate yourself, cultivate family affections , they are and help to bear the weight of the disease. But above all, never give up “.
“With the ‘Give me 6 Words’ campaign we leverage the universal language of music to speak with a new tone of psoriatic arthritis, promoting a profound communication exchange between those living with psoriatic arthritis and those who are not yet aware of being affected by it. to invite them to face this insidious pathology in a timely manner – says Maria Luce Vegna, Amgen Italia medical director – we continue to work alongside Anmar and “pmarr, of the scientific societies, investing in research, to offer patients new therapeutic opportunities”. a new ‘positive attitude’ around psoriatic arthritis, also through images, will be contributed by the video clip directed by Daniele Barbiero that accompanies the song by Virginio, visible on www.6domini.it. The podcast in 6 episodes on management will also be available on the site. of the main aspects of psoriatic arthritis, together with resources and insights on the pathology, on its 6 manifestations up-to-date information and details on hospital and university rheumatology centers and on local outpatient clinics.
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