Abstract
Launched by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Community oriented program for control of rheumatic diseases (COPCORD) aims to fill the gaps in the knowledge on the global burden of rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders (RMS). During the population survey (Stage I), data on symptoms (pain and disability in focus), rather than diseases or syndromes, is collected. The survey may be followed by a planned stage to impart health education, identify risk factors, and devise preventive and control strategies. Several countries in the Asia Pacific and Pan-America have completed COPCORD survey. Africa has recently joined. Only COPCORD Bhigwan (India) has continued into the tenth year. COPCORD Bhigwan is a fast-track model that has provided significant data on rheumatic disorders. Using COPCORD Bhigwan model, the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) India has launched several population surveys to measure the RMS burden. There is an urgent need for a COPCORD data repository. Several COPCORD have differed in their methods. Differences pertain to population sample size, techniques for data collection and recording, chronology of events and phases, and classification of symptoms/diseases/disorders. The COPCORD model in current global use needs to be revised. Based on the COPCORD Bhigwan model, a future design for COPCORD is proposed. COPCORD needs to have a uniform and standardized core program with a flexibility to cater to regional needs. It must imbibe some of the recent advances in rheumatology while retaining its socioeconomic appeal. It must have a planned follow-up/longitudinal observational phase. Above all, it must serve and benefit community. WHO–ILAR COPCORD and the global BJD initiative must join hands to serve a common cause of controlling rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders. COPCORD is also a reflection of the ILAR mission statement “think global, act local.”
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Acknowledgements
Nothing would have happened in Bhigwan without the personal indulgence and constant guidance from Ken Muirden (Australia) and Richard Wigley (New Zealand). Nothing would have moved ahead without the tremendous support from the Bhigwan community, Dr. HS Tandale (HST) and Mr. Ramesh Jadhav (village chief), in particular. Several colleagues have provided invaluable encouragement and assistance. Some of our colleagues from abroad made a special trip to Bhigwan—Richard Wigley (New Zealand), Jan Dequeker (Belgium), N Khaltaev (WHO), Ken Muirden (Australia), Ian Portek (Australia), Ralph Schumacher (USA), and Marian Garfinkel (USA). Prof. Alan Silman (UK) provided generous help to carry out some of the immunogenetic HLA studies. Prof. John Edmonds (Australia) inspired and guided the development of the “Indian HAQ.” Several of my own colleagues in the Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune, have been outstanding in their contribution toward the Bhigwan model—Ms. Anuradha V (laboratory), Ms. Manjit Saluja (coordinator), Dr. Jayashree Patil and Dr. Vaijayanti Lagoo Joshi (medical assistance), Mr. Deepak S and Mr. Prashant Deshpande (software programs), Dr. Anil Gore and Dr. Sanjiv S (statistics).
I acknowledge with gratitude the seed grant that COPCORD Bhigwan received from APLAR (initiation), ILAR (HLA studies) and WHO (health education). CRD, Pune and my practise have been the major providers for the Bhigwan COPCORD funds.
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Chopra, A. The WHO–ILAR COPCORD Bhigwan (India) model: foundation for a future COPCORD design and data repository. Clin Rheumatol 25, 443–447 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-006-0273-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-006-0273-7