Satellite symposium at the 6imca: Bone loss due to cancer and other etiologies.

A satellite symposium, entitled "Bone Loss Due to Cancer and Other Etiologies" launched within the framework of the 6th International Medical Congress of Armenia (IMCA), on July 4 at the Manoogian Hall of the American University of Armenia supported by the American University of Armenia and organized by John Bilezikian, and during which lectures were given by leading specialists from Armenia and the USA․   

We present our conversation with some of the organizers, invited persons and representatives of the conference։

John Bilezikian MD, Professor of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine for International Education and Research, Chief, Emeritus, of the Division of Endocrinology, Director of the Metabolic Diseases Division, he is a board member of international guidelines development organization.
 

The topic of cancer that we have targeted today is very relevant, because many people suffering from cancer have bone loss, and this issue is not much touched and discussed, but in fact it poses serious danger.
 

During this event we succeeded to present some statistical data on myeloma, which is very informative for the specialists.

John Bilezikian

We have targeted not only cancer but also diabetes, thyroid body. The point is that in case of mentioned diseases use of certain drugs can adversely affect bone system. So, it is crucial to ignore bone density screenings.
 

I am visiting Armenia every year since 2007 to organize different conferences. They were regular before Covid-19.
 

Our goal is not only to raise the scientific level of medical workers in Armenia, but to make Armenia a center of knowledge for the whole Europe and Eurasia.

 Varta Babalyan, President of Osteoporosis Armenian Association, Executive Director of Osteoporosis Center.

 
Mr. Bilezikian has a great contribution in the field of osteoporosis in Armenia. In 2007, when Mr. Bilezikian visited Armenia for the first time within the frames of an international symposium, there was only 1 densitometer in Armenia. He brought another densitometer with him. At the moment, 15 densitometers are in operation in Armenia, including Artsakh and regions, 11 of which were donated by Mr.

Bilezikian. In 2016, he founded the Osteoporosis Center, which has the purpose to increase the knowledge of osteoporosis among doctors and the society. Continuous courses are held in the center, guidelines of leading international universities and organizations are presented.

The results of the densitometric studies carried out in the center are given in accordance with the ISCD guidelines, and specialists (endocrinologists, rheumatologist, family doctors) provide consultations, relevant literature is provided. Within the scope of the center's activities, research works are also carried out, the results of which contribute to the implementation of new programs. All doctors of the center are trained in the field of osteoporosis through international conferences and trainings.

The reason for Mr. Bilezikian's two-year delay in arriving in Armenia was the COVID-19 pandemic, but he participated in scientific conferences held in Armenia online during that time. With his activities, he is trying to make Armenia known to the whole world: he organized 3 international summits, where international leading specialists in the field of osteoporosis were invited. Participating in various medical conferences, he presents himself with a tie and wristwatch in the colors of the tricolor flag of Armenia, thus reminding of Armenia.

 Mariam Manoukian, PhD, Stenford, Endocrinology and Metabolism, California, USA.

In my speech I talked about diabetes and bone fractures. I tried to find out where their connection is and where their paths, so called, cross.
Both diabetes and osteoporosis are very common diseases.

Disease prevention is most important, because advanced disease is difficult to treat. Although prevention is not easy, you cannot prevent it in an instant. Preventive measures should start from a young age: children must do sports, different physical exercises, lead a healthy lifestyle, eat properly. By the way, in the Soviet period team sports have been popular, and it was right.

Unfortunately, I don't see children doing sports in Armenia today. It is clear: gym visits are not affordable, and insurance companies do not cover them.

Armine Haroyan, Head of Rheumatology Department, Erebuni Medical Center, Armenia.

 As a rheumatologist, I emphasized glucocorticosteroids in my speech. That is, it refers to those patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, and many of them use steroids. In other words, different hormonal drugs, which in their turn favor osteoporosis disease. The most important thing here is that our doctors, especially the young ones, be aware of how early preventive measures should be started to avoid complications such as osteoporosis as a consequence of the treatment of the above-mentioned lesions. It is very important to treat osteoporosis in time.

We have been constantly talking about it since 2015, because not only rheumatologists should be aware of the problem, but also related specialists who also use hormones. It is about pulmonologists, endocrinologists.
 Such events allow to present scientific and medical data, to deliver the information to the general medical society.

 Varduhi Petrosyan, PhD, Dean, AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, Armenia.

I would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Belizikian, who started this series of conferences more than 10 years ago, informing our doctors about the importance of osteoporosis prevention.

Today's event showed that all parts of our health are interconnected. The event was dedicated to how bone health is affected when people have diabetes or cancer diseases. The course of treatment of these diseases can affect the bones, which, however, are not paid attention to not only in Armenia, but throughout the world. They do not study the condition of bones in a cancer patient: whether preventive measures should be applied or not, so that the quality of life does not suffer. I value it a lot when different specialists get together to try to find out how to cooperate in order to maintain human health.
 

Nicholas Hutchings, Internal Medicine-Primary care, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.
 

My remark was about thyroid disease and its effect on bones. It is a very important topic.

In women over 65, we have to screen the thyroid  gland  and check for osteoporosis disease presence, both of which are common diseases. It seems that they are two independent and separate processes, but in fact, their paths cross. Thyroid disease itself can cause osteoporosis.
 

Generally, women are advised to undergo thyroid screening every year and a bone density test every two years. If a thyroid problem is detected, bone density must be checked without further delay.
 
Satellite symposium at the 6imca: Bone loss due to cancer and other etiologies

Why only in women, because after menopause changes in their endocrine profile occur, as a result of which both the thyroid body and bones are affected.

Day 2

On July 5, the meeting of endocrinologists with Prof. John Bilezikian, took place in a very warm and friendly atmosphere.
 

The doctors had the opportunity communicate directly with the greatest expert on   parathyroid  diseases, Prof. John Bilezikian, which was a unique chance to ask all questions (they are more than a few in case of parathyoid ) to the author of the guidelines. The professor kindly answered all the questions. The discussions around the presented medical cases became another way of analyzing the guidelines.

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