10th Council Meeting
held on 17th to the 20th of November 2011 in Izmir (Turkey)
The participants of the meeting were delegates from the following 15 countries:
Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland,
the Netherlands, Norway as well as Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Prof. Tuncay Duruöz, the president of the Turkish Spondylitis Association
(ASHAD) emphasized during the open ceremony that the ASIF represents now approximately
5 million persons with AS.
A new ASIF website is planned
The delegates approved of the new society memberships from China, Cyprus and
South Korea. ASIF president Seoirse Smith and vice president Hedley Hamilton
informed on the renewal of the ASIF website and likewise presented attractive
ASIF labels, one of which will replace the current one. Moreover Seoirse Smith
presented the ASleep project. This campaign seeks the cooperation with hotels
who are willing to present a choice of pillows and mattresses for their clients
with AS.
Seoirse Smith displayed an overview of the ASIF actitivies in the past and
its challenges for the future too. This includes a better positioning within
the patient organization "People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe"
(PARE) and eventually in the UN-World Health Organization (WHO). The question
was also raised on whether ASIF should hire a professional staff.
Various lectures were held during the meeting. Debbie Cook, the new director
of the NASS, presented their successful media relations in the UK and stressed
the importance of networking with politicians and other patients organizations.
Prof. Paul Wordsworth informed on influencing patient management. Furthermore
he did an excellent presentations on the AS genetic research development.
For example he mentioned that the molecule ERAP1 (Endoplasmatic Reticulum
Amino Peptidase) could play an important role to find new medical therapies
for AS patients. Wordsworth managed to make this rather scientific theme comprehensible
for non-professionals as well.
Prof. Tuncay Duruöz from Turkey presented approved new medical therapies
in Ankylosing Spondylitis. Claire Harris, NASS physiotherapist from the UK,
gave an overview of the pros and cons of exercise groups, also by displaying
the challenge to motivate young people with AS to participate. Reto Baliarda
from Switzerland showed the results of a study on cardiovascular training
in patients with AS. The ASAS project "information on appropriate patient
behavior" was presented by Prof. Ernst Feldtkeller, who also distributed
to all delegates a survey on doctor instructions to AS patients.
New ASIF secretary and treasurer
The elections of the ASIF executive committee
were an important issue, as there were quite a few replacements. Secretary
Ken Mulholland (Canada) as well as Torben Jørgensen (Denmark), the
treasurer, decided to step down. The delegates voted for Michael Mallinson
(Canada) as the new ASIF secretary. Likewise, René Bräm from Switzerland
was elected as the new treasurer. Furthermore, Debbie Cook from the UK was
elected as a new member of the board. She replaced her compatriot Jane Skerrett.
The 10th ASIF meeting in Izmir was excellently organized by the Turkish AS
Society ASHAD, and particularly by its president Tuncay Duruöz. The three
day-event included a Turkish Night with typical national music and dancing
as well as a journey to the ancient city of Ephesus and the world famous UMUT
thermal resort and the Travertine Hot Springs at Pamukkale.
