A song against psoriatic arthritis, inspired by patient words

“When the burden of illness becomes unbearable, you need to fully understand your pain, to accept and overcome it. Because beyond what you see and hear, under the surface, there are dreams, a soul and a world to carry. uncovered”. This is the message suggested by ‘Under the surface’, a song signed and interpreted by the singer-songwriter Virginio, presented in view of the World Day of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, which is celebrated on 29 October. A text inspired by the words of the sick themselves. The song, in fact, was born in the countryside ‘Give me 6 words. The story of psoriatic arthritis “, promoted by Amgen, in collaboration with the National Association of Rheumatic Patients (Anmar) and the National Association of People with Rheumatological and Rare Diseases (Apmarr). Acceptance, pain, restlessness, limitation, hope, determination are the 6 words that patients indicated through a contest to describe their coexistence with the disease. “I took inspiration from the patients’ words – says Virginio – to write a strong and contemporary piece, with a text capable of touching the deepest chords and at the same time accessible to all, patients and non-patients. ‘Below the surface’ is about going beyond, overcoming the pain and digging until you recognize yourself for what you are. Music can be a cure, which helps us to overcome difficult times and to feel less alone. I hope this song will help all patients to feel understood and to better accept some aspects of their condition that sometimes it is difficult to realize. “Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can involve the joints, skin and tendons with six types of manifestations. In Italy it affects about 300 thousand people. If not diagnosed promptly and appropriately treated, it can lead to significant disabilities, with a significant deterioration in the quality of life. The collaboration between rheumatologist and dermatologist and an in-depth evaluation play a key role in the diagnostic path of the patient. “Today patients can obtain a significant improvement in the short, medium and long term provided that there is a certain diagnosis and adequate treatment”, explains Roberto Caporali, professor of Rheumatology at the University of Milan – il the ideal path passes first of all to the family doctor, to whom Fr. The patient must address the first symptoms to be referred by the rheumatologist, who will make further investigations to confirm the diagnosis and establish an appropriate treatment as soon as possible. In the event that arthropathy is associated with psoriasis, the referring specialist will be the dermatologist who, after the tests, will prescribe the most appropriate therapy. The patient must be monitored over time to verify that the therapies give the desired results “.” Depending on the area involved, which can be the spine, hips, knees, hands or shoulders, there is an important physical limitation. In addition, this pathology is often associated with comorbidities, one for all, psoriasis, which, as a skin disease, represents a stigma for the personal and psychological life of the patient – explains Silvia Tonolo, president of Anmar – all this has important repercussions on the quality of life, also because usually when patients discover they have the chronic disease they are still at a productive age and in the midst of social and emotional life “. help them get their lives back in their hands. “Two fundamental resources for the patient are the therapeutic possibilities and the relationship with the specialist, in this case the rheumatologist, who can help the patient understand how not to be influenced by the disease – comments Antonella Celano , President Apmarr – but there are many other important resources: moderate physical activity, always on the advice of the doctor, is a simple tool re good because it improves mood and keeps the joints active. Following a healthy diet, avoiding stress, meeting friends and not isolating oneself, cultivating family affections, are and help to bear the weight of the disease. But above all, never give up. “” With the ‘Give me 6 Words’ campaign we leverage the universal language of music to speak with a new tone of psoriatic arthritis, favoring a profound communication exchange between those living with psoriatic arthritis and those who are not yet aware of being affected by it in order to invite them to deal promptly with this insidious pathology – declares Maria Luce Vegna, medical director of Amgen Italia – we continue to work alongside Anmar and “pmarr, of the scientific societies, investing in research, to offer patients new therapeutic opportunities “. The video clip directed by Daniele Barbiero that accompanies the piece by Virginio, visible on www.6domini.it, will contribute to spreading a new ‘positive attitude’ around psoriatic arthritis, also through images. On the website will also be available the podcast in 6 episodes on the management of the main aspects of psoriatic arthritis, together with resources and insights on the disease, on its 6 manifestations and updated details on hospital and university rheumatology centers and on territorial clinics.