Rheumatology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rheumatology, a subspecialty of internal medicine, is devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. The term originates from the Greek rheuma, meaning "that which flows as a river or stream" and the suffix -ology, meaning "the study of". Rheumatologists mainly deal with problems involving the joints and the allied conditions of connective tissue.
Contents |
[edit] Diseases
Diseases diagnosed or managed by the rheumatologist include:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus erythematosus
- Sjögren's syndrome
- scleroderma (systemic sclerosis)
- dermatomyositis
- polychondritis
- polymyositis
- polymyalgia rheumatica
- osteoarthritis
- septic arthritis
- gout, pseudogout
- spondyloarthropathies
- vasculitis
[edit] Diagnosis
Apart from an extensive medical history and physical examination, a rheumatologist may apply the following diagnostic methods:
- Laboratory tests (e.g. erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor)
- X-rays of affected joints and other imaging methods
- Cytology and chemical pathology of fluid aspirated from affected joints (e.g. to differentiate between septic arthritis and gout)
[edit] Treatment
Most rheumatic diseases are treated with analgesics, NSAIDs (Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), steroids (in serious cases), DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), monoclonal antibodies, such as infliximab and adalimumab, and the soluble TNF receptor etanercept.
Physiotherapy is vital in the treatment of many rheumatological disorders. Occupational therapy can help patients finding alternative ways for common movements which would otherwise be restricted by their disease.
[edit] Scientific research
A large body of recent scientific research treats the background of autoimmune disease, the cause of many rheumatic disorders. Epidemiological studies and medication trials are also conducted.
[edit] External links
- ACR: The American College of Rheumatology.
- JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.
- IFR: Institut Ferran de Reumatologia.
et:Reumatoloogia es:Reumatología eu:Erreumatologia fr:Rhumatologie io:Reumatologio it:Reumatologia he:ראומטולוגיה ja:リウマチ学 pl:Reumatologia pt:Reumatologia sv:Reumatologi tr:Romatoloji
