Cost-effective use of investigations in developing countries
Abstract In recent years, the cost of health care around the world has risen at a rate that is deemed unsustainable. It has been estimated that 20% of this could…
Infections and arthritis
Abstract Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can all cause arthritis of either acute or chronic nature, which can be divided into infective/septic, reactive, or inflammatory. Considerable advances have occurred in…
The use and abuse of diagnostic/classification criteria
Abstract In rheumatic diseases, classification criteria have been developed to identify well-defined homogenous cohorts for clinical research. Although they are commonly used in clinical practice, their use may not be…
Role of autoantibody testing
Abstract Autoantibodies are the serological hallmark of autoimmune disease. Though their pathogenic role is debatable, they play an important role in the management of a patient with rheumatic disease. However,…
The child with joint pain in primary care
Abstract Joint pains are a common reason for children to present to primary care. The differential diagnosis is large including some diseases that do not primarily affect the musculoskeletal system….
Assessment of spinal pain
Abstract Spinal pain or back pain is a very common symptom that can have many reasons. The most studied location is low back pain, and it is considered to be…
How to investigate: Chronic pain
Abstract Chronic pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience persisting longer than the normal process of healing, usually longer than 3 months. About a fifth of the…
How to investigate multisystem disease
Abstract The investigation of the patient with possible systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease is potentially one of the most challenging areas of rheumatology as the differential diagnosis is potentially very broad….
How to investigate rheumatological diseases?
Several factors make it difficult and challenging to investigate rheumatological diseases: 1. The wide array of investigations currently available. 2. The variable access to investigations across the globe and their…
Pain in primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Abstract Joint and muscle pain are commonly observed in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Different types of pain can be distinguished, that is, articular pain, neuropathic pain and widespread…
