Dr Arvind Chopra, the organising secretary of the BJD world network and 24th annual conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association told media persons on Monday that nearly 80 international experts will be participating in the meeting. The Bhigwan model is also likely to be endorsed by BJD- India and BJD- International.

Delegates from over 25 countries will participate in the meet.

Endorsed by the United Nations and WHO, 2000-2010 is observed as bone and joint decade.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful crippling arthritis, which is difficult to treat. Indian data (especially from the community-oriented programme for control of rheumatic diseases model at Bhigwan-Pune) shows that 0.3 - 0.6 per cent of Indian population is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

The ongoing study to measure the burden of rheumatism in the Indian population at 17 sites shows that at least 10-15 per cent of the population suffers from arthritis and some form of rheumatism. But what is alarming is that risk factors like tobacco and inflammation of arthritis have even led to the increase in premature heart disease among youngsters, said Chopra.

India is the 8th country to host the meet. Indian patient delegation will be led by P C Nahar, chairman, Mission Arthritis India, a patient support group and former CEO Bajaj Auto.

For the first time the BJD- India will hold a special session for the global experts at Bhigwan village.

A national and international faculty of outstanding clinical and academic value will conduct a one-day continuing medical education programme on arthritis for doctors practicing in the rural areas. Over 500 doctors, general practitioners, physicians, have registered for the programme.

Concurrently, Pune is hosting the annual meeting of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRACON).

For the first time, the city is also holding an orthopedic rheumatology convention to focus on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis as an interface between BJD and IRACON.