The program respond, pioneer in Spain, improves the efficiency of queries of Rheumatology.

-The work of patient follow-up is essential to prevent the progression of the disease and, with it, irreversible damage that could lead to disability

-this program already has a record of more than 3,000 patients and is endorsed by the Spanish group for the study of Spondylarthritis (GRESSER) and the Spanish society of Rheumatology (be)

Madrid, July 2012.- the program respond, launched by the Spanish group for the study of the Spondylarthritis from the society Spanish of Rheumatology (GRESSER) with the collaboration of Abbott, is a pioneer in Spain and its objective is to facilitate the follow-up of patients with espondiloartrtitis work. To do this, is to carry out a periodic monitoring of these diseases through the creation of a call center in which clinical activity data are recorded until the patient go to query. So far there have been more than 3,000 patients already.

Prevent the progression of the disease is one of the main challenges facing patient and clinical follow-up rheumatologist. Monitoring of the activity of the disease puts the means to avoid irreversible damage that might lead to a disability.

Currently, there are a good number of questionnaires (ANKYLOSING or lung) among others for a proper clinical assessment of the Spondyloarthropathies, and therefore, such questionnaires over time management lets you know the degree of disease activity and offer the most appropriate treatment. Usually these questionnaires are administered the day of consultation and provide valuable information, but they have the disadvantage of the time of dedication that require and which can lead to a slowing of the follow-up of these patients visits.

The rheumatologist directly accesses the data to keep better track of clinical

The creation of the respond programme facilitates this monitoring by means of questionnaires by telephone. Consent, the patient receives a quarterly call 15-20 minutes and another annual call for 35-40 minutes. Data is recorded on a basis which is governed by the organic law of protection data (LOPD) and sent to the specialist, who access them at the point where the patient attends consultation, providing the information necessary to assess the progression of the disease without having to administer the questionnaires in situ. The program has the endorsement of the Spanish group for the study of Spondylarthritis (GRESSER) and the Spanish society of Rheumatology (be).

This monitoring provides a time-saving in the query that allows you to invest in care for the patient in a way more personalized and focused on the issues that most concerned ”, says Dr. Rafael Ariza, the hospital Virgen Macarena of Seville.

The respond programme is open to all Rheumatology services who voluntarily wish to participate in. 390 Specialists in rheumatology hospitals in all Spain have been already is assigned at this time. Patients who are being treated at these centers can be part of voluntarily, as well as to unsubscribe at any time.

As part of the program, created a hotline free and exclusive for patients that respond to your questions and they may extend to the information you need. The phone number is 900 515 000.

About of the society Spanish of Rheumatology (be)

The Spanish society of Rheumatology (be) has as its mission work and interact actively and positively with all operators of interest in the field of the Rheumatology. To do so, inter alia, promotes the study of rheumatic diseases – diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue-, develops work, studies and research projects in rheumatology and attends the problems related to the specialty. It also provides support to patients of rheumatic diseases through his relationship with associations comprising mainly to patients. In the area of teaching, the be carried out a large number of courses on all areas of the Rheumatology and held two monographic symposia and a Congress every year. SER currently represents nearly 1,500 professionals in Spain and maintains contact with regional societies of Rheumatology nationwide.

About Abbott

Abbott is a biomedical company that is dedicated to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutritional, health and diagnosis. The company employs about 90,000 people worldwide and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott is certified as Top Employers Spain 2011 by CRF Institute, and as the best company to work in the health sector and the second in the general ranking of sectors according to Best Workplaces Spain 2010. Abbott has over 1,500 employees and 61 years of history in our country. The company’s activity is aimed at meeting the needs of patients with chronic diseases and high clinical, economic, social, and emotional impact. Abbott has presence in all areas of the Spanish healthcare industry (including r & d and manufacturing at its centres in Madrid, Granada and Alcobendas). Its products cover all phases of the process of the disease (prevention, diagnosis, treatment and healing) and are present in every moment of the life cycle: newborn, childhood, adolescence, maturity and old age.

Abbott’s news releases are available on the company’s web pages: www.abbott.com and www.abbott.es.