Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) Annual Meeting

A Report on the PRA Annual Meeting 2015
by Ma. Theresa M. Collante, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellow-in-Training, USTH

The 21st Annual Meeting of the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) was held on February 26 to 28, 2015 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City.

This year’s well-attended pre-convention offered a Basic Rheumatology Course for non-rheumatologists and a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for rheumatologists. 

The first day of the meeting proper covered topics on gout, chikungunya fever, and rheumatoid arthritis lectured by the local faculty. Issues on biologic use in pediatric rheumatic diseases, NSAIDs and cardiovascular risks, and pulmonary hypertension were discussed as well. Associate Professor Peter T. Nash from Australia discussed the latest developments in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. The Lourdes Manahan Memorial Lecture about the history and future directions of PRA was delivered by Professor Tito P. Torralba.

On the second day, updates on osteoarthritis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, and medical informatics were tacked. Two interactive sessions involving the past PRA presidents, Dr. Clemente M. Amante (voted year 1982), Dr. Merle Y. Barba (1985), Dr. Ester G. Penserga (1999), Dr. Perry P. Tan (2004), Dr. Sandra Tankeh-Torres (2002), and Dr. Torralba (1975 and 1983) also took place.

The scientific program also featured oral presentations of the best three original researches and best three case reports chosen from 43 abstracts submitted by fellows-in-training. My case report entitled “Coronary arteritis in a nine year old Filipino female with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus” and Dr. Joseph Patrick N. Patricio’s case series entitled “Gastrointestinal involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus” were both presented on the second day. Dr. Patricio is an Adult Rheumatology fellow-in-training at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH). Dr. Aime Fabila and Dr. Agatha Saquing both won their cases of Thromboangitis obliterans and Nail changes in SLE, respectively in the best image category. The rest of the abstracts were presented as posters, which included 10 studies from trainees of USTH.

The meeting culminated with the induction of new clincal members, diplomates, and fellows, and a circus-themed fellowship night.