Acta Clin Croat, Vol. 51, No. 4, 2012 685 Acta Clin Croat 2012; 51:685-688 News TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CROATIAN LEAGUE AGAINST RHEUMATISM Te Croatian League Against Rheumatism (League) is the most numerous nonproft association gathering at the national level patients with rheumat- ic diseases, specialist physicians and other healthcare workers involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of rheumatic patients. Te League was founded on November 14, 1992 in Varaždinske Toplice as a legal successor of the Za- greb Society of Rheumatic Patients that had been active from 1982. Te League foundation was initi- ated by Professor Ivo Jajić (1932-2010), originator of the idea of laymen association of rheumatic patients in our country. Besides Professor Jajić, the Steering Committee consisted of Želimir Vukosav, dipl. eng., Tibor Littvay, MS, and Tonči Buljanović, grad. iur.; subsequently, Professor Božidar Ćurković, Profes- sor Nataša Delimar, Head Doctor Goran Ivanišević, Head Doctor Ladislav Krapac, Head Doctor Ante Luetić, Head Doctor Željko Ostrogović and Head Doctor Ljubo Suton joined the Committee. From these modest beginnings, owing to the enthusiasm of the initiators and all those that joined them with time, the League has grown into a respectable association with about 5500 members in 14 county branches. Musculoskeletal diseases and conditions are the major cause of long-term pain and disability (accord- ing to health burden of the disease). In Europe, 20% to 30% of adults sufer from musculoskeletal pain at the time, two of fve individuals with musculoskel- etal problems are limited in their activities and mus- culoskeletal/rheumatic diseases and problems account for up to 60% of the causes of premature retirement. Terefore, the main tasks of the League are socio-ed- ucational and promoting activities. Health education of the population, in particular patients with rheu- matic diseases, about the causes, symptoms, preven- tive measures, treatment and rehabilitation is aimed at upgrading the quality of life, prolonging their work ability and preventing or at least delaying disability of the population at risk. According to the League statutes, its tasks include providing legal advice, and if possible direct fnancial and working assistance in adapting the patient’s home, organizing rehabilita- tion, supplying aids and drugs, although it is rarely feasible due to shortage of resources. Te League ad- vocates education of health professionals and scien- tifc research through team work with active patient participation. Te League has four committees for economic- promoting, legal, publishing and social-humanitarian activities, and fve expert sections for infammatory rheumatic diseases, degenerative rheumatic diseases, metabolic rheumatic diseases, extra-articular rheuma- tism and prevention of locomotor system diseases. Since its foundation, the League’s seat is at Uni- versity Department of Rheumatology, Physical Medi- cine and Rehabilitation, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center in Zagreb. Professor Ivo Jajić was the frst League chairman, followed by Tomislav Nemčić, MD from 2001, and currently Professor Simeon Grazio since 2009. Zvonimir Barišić, grad. eng., is the League co-chairman, long-standing chairman of the Committee for Economic-Promoting Activi- ties, graphic designer of the League printed materi- als and website. Frane Grubišić, MS, is the League secretary, and Želimir Vukosav, grad. eng., treasurer, long-standing former secretary and the ‘good spirit’ of the League. Te League is member of the following inter- national associations: European League Against NEWS