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Introduction
Canadian Rheumatology Association Meeting
DUNCAN A. GORDON, MD,
The 10th Annual Winter Workshop and Meeting of The Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) was held at the Fairmont Tremblant, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada, February 26 to March 1, 2003. The program consisted of presentations covering original research, symposia, the Dunlop-Dottridge Lecture, workshops, the Royal College debate, and a special spotlight on Canadian contributions to rheumatology. The meeting opened with the National Journal Club coverage of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Pregnancy, Predictors of Outcome in SLE, Prognostic Factors in Early RA, and the Status of Hormone Replacement Treatments. President Arthur Bookman next introduced the podium presentations by fellows, followed by the 2003 Dunlop-Dottridge Lecture on the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2025 given by Dr. William Koopman of Birmingham, Alabama, USA. This year's Royal College debate, entitled "Private Healthcare Will Advance Rheumatologic Care in Canada," was carefully moderated by Dr. Tony Russell of Edmonton. The resolution was defended by Mr. John Graham, an economist from the Fraser Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Dr. Algis Jovaisis, from Ottawa. Both commented on the unmet health needs of Canadians, lack of prompt access to investigative technology, and long waiting lists for surgical procedures such as joint replacements. The resolution was opposed by Dr. Tom Noseworthy of Calgary, who presented data showing that healthcare from the private sector was inferior to results obtained in the not-for-profit world. Dr. David Hawkins, of the Canadian Association of Medical Colleges, showed data to explain that diminished access to healthcare in Canada was directly related to planned government cutbacks in medical school enrolments over the past decade. The audience concluded that private healthcare would not advance rheumatologic care in Canada. The spotlight this year on Canadian accomplishments included Dr. Duncan A. Gordon, Editor of The Journal of Rheumatology, who described The Journal as a Canadian based international forum for rheumatology publication. He illustrated The Journal's continuing ability to attract and publish outstanding contributions from home and abroad, in keeping with the vision of founding editor Metro Ogryzlo. Dr. Ron Laxer made an outstanding presentation on the contribution of Canadian pediatricians to rheumatology and described the evolution of Canadian pediatric rheumatology training programs with academic units in 7 separate Canadian medical centers. The Canadian Pediatric Rheumatology Association was established in 1986 and its collaborative projects have included studies of seasonal onset of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an epidemiologic review of children with newly diagnosed disease, and studies of steroid treatment of children with Kawasaki's disease. A number of awards were presented. The Ian Watson Lupus Canada award went to Mélanie Dieudé, Université de Montréal, Montreal. She and her colleagues presented evidence of a strong association of autoantibodies to nuclear lamin B1 with thromboprotection in lupus. The presence of this antibody appeared to nullify the strong thrombic effects associated with lupus anticoagulant. Their work suggests a therapeutic approach to prevent thrombotic events with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Other honors included the CRA Award for Overall Merit to Dr. Allan J. Lehman, Vancouver. He presented results of a study demonstrating the effectiveness of intramuscular gold in combination with methotrexate in early rheumatoid arthritis. The Basic Science Award went to Dr. Angela Rico de Souza, The Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, Montreal. She described a model of antiphospholipid antibody induction. Her work explains why a T cell response develops selectively in some individuals and highlights the requirements for antigen presentation in T cell reactivity in a murine model of antiphospholipid induction. The P.S. Rosen Award went to Dr. Susanne Bensler, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. She presented experience with primary central nervous system vasculitis in children based on a large, well investigated series. The CRA Young Investigator Award went to clinical epidemiologist and rheumatologist Dr. Diane Lacaille of Vancouver. Dr. Marvin Fritzler of the University of Calgary received the Distinguished Investigator Award, and the Distinguished Rheumatologist Award went to Dr. Tony Russell, Edmonton. Marvin and Tony addressed the association dinner with revealing comments about their lives in research and rheumatology past and present. A special feature of the association dinner was the presentation in person of all the past presidents of the CRA. The higher than ever attendance at the meeting confirmed the ongoing enthusiasm and interest of rheumatologists and fellows from all parts of Canada. Their contributions are well reflected in the abstracts of the meeting, which we are pleased to publish in this issue. |