Dr. Arvind Chopra Leads New National Push to Map India’s Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease Burden

Ahmedabad conclave highlights COPCORD findings, launches new Gujarat survey

State Rheumatologists to Chart Urban–Rural Trends in Rheumatic Illnesses

New Gujarat Survey Aims to Address Specialist Shortage and Policy Gaps

Ahmedabad Conclave Highlights Dr. Chopra’s Pioneering Rheumatology Research

India’s Hidden Arthritis Crisis Under Spotlight as Dr. Chopra Unveils New Data

COPCORD Pioneer Dr. Arvind Chopra Launches Fresh Gujarat Survey at RAG Meet

Top Rheumatologists Gather in Ahmedabad as Dr. Chopra Drives Arthritis Awareness Campaign

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• New Gujarat Study to Map Arthritis Burden Under Dr. Chopra’s Leadership
• Rheumatology Association Gujarat hosts two-day scientific conclave
• RAG conclave focuses on women’s health, rural burden, and integrative therapies
• Ahmedabad conference marks launch of expanded rheumatic disease survey
• 55,000-person dataset highlights urgent public health gaps
• Experts from top institutions collaborate on research, diagnosis, and QOL solutions
• Sessions blend modern medicine, Ayurveda, and public health insights

 

Bilkul Online | Sunday Special by Rafat Quadri

Ahmedabad | 16 Nov 2025

India’s foremost rheumatology experts have convened in Ahmedabad for a two-day academic conclave on November 15 and 16, organised by the Rheumatology Association Gujarat (RAG).

The meeting places a strong spotlight on the pioneering work of Dr. Arvind Chopra, Ayush Distinguished Scientist Chair and Director of the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune—widely regarded as the country’s most influential voice in arthritis epidemiology and public health research.

For nearly three decades, Dr. Chopra has been the driving force behind India’s landmark COPCORD (Community Oriented Programme for Control of Rheumatic Diseases) surveys, conducted under WHO guidelines. His persistent efforts to document the prevalence of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders have created the largest community-based dataset of its kind in the country. The data has shaped national understanding of arthritis and is increasingly informing clinical practice, policy discussions, and public health planning.

Dr. Chopra’s Research—Making the Invisible Burden Visible

• Dr. Chopra’s team has completed 21 surveys covering more than 55,000 people, of which nearly 60% belong to rural regions. His findings shed light on a silent epidemic often overshadowed by other chronic diseases:
• Over 19.5 crore Indians live with arthritis-related pain
• 65% of all arthritis sufferers are women
• One in five women experiences bone or joint pain of rheumatic nature
• The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stands at 0.5–0.8%, translating to 42 lakh cases nationwide, including 11.7 lakh young women in reproductive age
• 5.4 crore Indians have osteoarthritis, especially of the knees and spine
• 1.72 crore people experience chronic musculoskeletal pain due to occupational strain and lifestyle factors

His work highlights how age, obesity, manual labour, tobacco use, and socio-economic stressors contribute significantly to the nationwide burden.

Speaking at the conclave, Dr. Chopra emphasized, “Women are disproportionately affected by rheumatic diseases. Understanding this burden scientifically is the first step toward meaningful prevention and patient-centric solutions.”

New COPCORD Survey in Gujarat: Dr. Chopra at the Helm Once Again

In a major development, the Ahmedabad conference marks the launch of a new COPCORD survey led by Dr. Chopra, covering 7,000 people in rural Gujarat. Unlike earlier studies focused primarily on arthritis, the upcoming survey will map the full spectrum of rheumatic diseases. Data collection and publication are expected within 6–8 months.

Three Gujarat Experts to Drive Landmark Study on Rheumatic Disorders:

Local Rheumatologists Step Forward to Map Gujarat’s Growing Rheumatic Burden 

Dr. Arvind Chopra was joined by three leading rheumatologists from Gujarat — Dr. Sapan C. Pandya (SVP Hospital), Dr. Reena Sharma (Swastik Rheumatology Clinic) and Dr. Hardik Rathod (HP Rheumatology Centre). While they participated alongside Dr. Chopra in the discussion, the three Gujarat-based specialists will now take up the responsibility of conducting a similar comprehensive survey within the state. This initiative aims to gain an accurate understanding of which rheumatic conditions are most prevalent among Gujarat’s urban and rural populations, the factors driving these disorders, and the complications they are leading to.

The data generated from such a study will be crucial for shaping informed health policies in the future. It could enable the government to consider introducing specialised rheumatology degree courses in medical colleges and help address the acute shortage of rheumatologists in Gujarat, where only about 40 specialists currently serve a patient population estimated to be in the lakhs.

A Conclave Focused on Science, Collaboration, and Public Health Action

Alongside Dr. Chopra, the event features another national stalwart, Dr. Durga Prasanna Misra, Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Rheumatology and Professor at SGPGI, Lucknow.

RAG President Dr. Reena Sharma highlighted the urgency behind such scientific platforms.

“Rheumatic disorders are widespread yet under-reported. With India carrying a massive hidden burden, we urgently need unified academic and clinical efforts. This meeting brings together modern medicine, public health, and Ayurveda to work toward better outcomes,” she said.

Key Sessions Across Two Days

Day 1:

• Epidemiology & Management of Chikungunya Fever and Post-Chikungunya Arthritis
• Clues for Diagnosing Vasculitis in OPDs
• Clinical Dilemmas with Pre-existing Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

Day 2:

• Burden of Arthritis: A COPCORD Perspective (Dr. Arvind Chopra)
• Arthritis: An Ayurvedic Perspective
• Function, Quality of Life, and hands-on QOL Workshop
• A dedicated Scientific Writing Workshop will equip young clinicians with skills in statistics, manuscript structure, and critical review.
• Strengthening the Bridge Between Science and Society

Dr. Chopra’s long-standing vision of integrating community-based data, clinical perspectives, and public health priorities forms the backbone of this year’s conclave. By combining modern rheumatology, Ayurveda, and population surveys, the event offers a model aligned with India’s move toward evidence-driven holistic healthcare.

Key coordinators include Dr. Sapan Pandya, Vice-President, Indian Rheumatology Association; Dr. Deepak Saxena, Director, IIPH Ahmedabad; and Dr. Kiran Kale, Assistant Director, CCRAS, Ahmedabad. Faculty and postgraduate students from clinical medicine, rheumatology, community medicine, and Ayurveda are participating.

Similar integrative meetings were recently held in New Delhi, Pune, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi, with upcoming sessions planned in Calicut, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Guwahati.

A Milestone for India’s Rheumatology Movement

With Dr. Arvind Chopra’s decades of work forming the scientific foundation of the conclave, the Ahmedabad meet stands out as a significant moment in India’s journey toward better arthritis research, awareness, and integrative care. The conference is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future strategies for preventing and managing rheumatic disorders—one of the country’s most underestimated public health burdens.

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