by Dr Evelyn Ho

The 12th Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) Congress was held in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 1 to 5 August 2006. The Malaysian Society of Rheumatology was host for the conference under the able leadership of Dr Yeap Swan Sim. Dr Yeap, the Organising Chairperson of the 12th APLAR Congress and President of the Malaysian Rheumatology Society said, “I am happy to note that there were close to 2000 participants in this congress”. 

Without doubt, the congress was a success with an international faculty of speakers and delegates from many countries. The topics ranged from basic science in clinical rheumatology to various diseases seen in rheumatology (in both adults and children) as well as molecular biology and genetics. Allied health topics were also included. This year’s congress saw participation from the American College of Rheumatology ACR (the first ever ACR Clinical Review Course was held at an APLAR meeting), International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR), The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Japanese College of Rheumatology (JCR). There were plenary lectures, break-out sessions, meet-the-experts sessions and workshops. The imaging aspects of rheumatology were addressed in sessions for Imaging in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Imaging in Rheumatic Diseases, Workshop in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Imaging in Osteoporosis and Imaging in Osteoarthritis. 

Prof Dr Jurgen Braun, Professor of Rheumatology at the Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany	Professor John Axford, Chair of Clinical Rheumatology and Director of The Sir Joseph Hotung Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders

A gala dinner was held on 3rd August 2006 with entertainment by Malaysia’s Khatijah Ibrahim, jazz artist Michael Veerapen and Tourism Malaysia dance performance. A Fun Run in aid of the Arthritis Foundation of Malaysia was held on the 5th August. The Trade Exhibition boasted 36 exhibitors.

Scenes from APLAR 2006

Delegates at the Protaxos Challenge	Impressively staged Trade Exhibition
Posters presented at the APLAR2006	Delegates in a breakout session	The next APLAR Congress will be held in 2008 in Japan