Educational Talk – Treatment on Vasculitis
2nd November 2014
Educational Talk – Treatment on Vasculitis was taken part in the Seminar Room 2, M/F, Hospital Authority Building, Kowloon on 2nd November 2014. The talk aimed to enhance people’s understanding of Vasculitis and the related surgery. There were 104 participants in total.
The talk was started by Dr. LEE Tsz Yan Samson, a specialist in Rheumatology, to explain the symptoms of Vasculitis. The illness could affect all kinds of vessel. Dr. LEE introduced Takayasu Arteritis, a commmon large vessel vasculitis, Polyarteritis nodosum, an example of medium vessel vasculitis and Wegener’s granulomatosus, Microscopic polyangiitis and Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, as examples of small vessel vasculitis. Since many patients did not show significant and obvious symptoms, they might be diagnosed incorrectly as rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease or stroke. Dr. LEE urged participants to receive suitable treatment as soon as possible to prevent the growth of disease.
Apart from this, the talk was continued by Dr. TSE Cheuk Wa Chad, a specialist in General Surgery, to introduce different kinds of vascular surgery. Dr. TSE analysed the pros and cons of different surgeries and emphasized that the decision of surgery mostly depended on the patients’ condition. Once medications could not control the illness effectively, doctors would consider applying surgery to prevent the risk of complications such as vascular occlusion, organ failure or stoke. The practice of treatment was changed recently. Doctors would consider applying surgery much earlier than the past as there was no cure method once the vessels were completely blocked.
Members of Systemic Vasculitis Mutual Support Group introduced the activities organized by the group afterward. Mother of a little boy suffering from Kawasaki disease and a patient suffering from Takayasu Arteritis shared their experiences in searching from help and treatment in order to arouse the public’s attention on these rare diseases. Besides, they encouraged those who suspected of having such diseases should make diagnosis and get proper treatment as early as possible.
The talk then followed by a Q&A session where participants actively asked questions. Dr. LEE and Dr. TSE answered with patience to solve their doubts. The audiences found the information from the talk very useful and hoped to participate to the activities in the future.
