There are 90 rare diseases, typical for Armenia

The Health Ministry experts have defined about 90 types of rare diseases that are found in Armenia. Such lists are drawn up in various countries based on the population size.

Different regions have different definition for rare diseases. In the European countries, the rare diseases are those that affect 1 in 2,000 people, in the USA – 1 in 1,500 people.

80% of rare diseases are inherited. Those are the neuromuscular system diseases, chromosome diseases, as well as metabolic, oncological and rare blood diseases. Periodic disease, also referred to as Yerevan disease, is most widespread in Armenia. Rare diseases can be dangerous for health.

According to Albert Matevosyan, the head of the Republican Medical Center for Genetics, the ‘national programs and laws, as well as expert centers and specialists’ training’ are required for efficient treatment of rare diseases.

There are about 5,000-7,000 types of such diseases worldwide and part of them are considered as exotic.