With the FDA release of the drug Uloric in 2009, the research and interest around gout and crystal arthropathies has exploded. Gout affects over 8 million Americans. The gout rate was 7% among Americans aged 60 to 79 in the early 1990s, compared with 9% by 2008. Among those aged 80 and older, the rate more than doubled, from 6% to 13% over the nearly 20-year time span. This topic has never been covered in Rheumatic Disease Clinics and it represents a large content hole. The articles will cover diagnosis, management, emerging therapies and imaging

Congenital hip disease (CHD) is the main cause of secondary osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip in young adults, which accounts for almost 40% of all cases of hip OA. Total hip replacement (THR) performed using optimal techniques can achieve a radical improvement in the quality of life of adult patients. This book offers in-depth coverage of all aspects of CHD in adults and its treatment. Relevant information is first provided on the basic anatomy of the hip and OA of the hip and on the classification, epidemiology, and natural history of CHD. The now limited role of femoral and pelvic osteotomies is carefully evaluated, and the use of THR is then considered in detail. Indications and preoperative planning are discussed, and the available operative techniques, analyzed. Clear guidance is provided on overcoming major technical difficulties, and the benefits of particular approaches and techniques are highlighted. More than 180 images and numerous case studies complement this reader-friendly text. The book will be an invaluable tool for orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists and radiologists.

Newly Diagnosed? Long Time Sufferer?

You are NOT alone You CAN change your life and REVERSE this highly frustrating, emotionally confusing, very often unrecognized "invisible" illness.

"A must-read, Chantal's book will bring you HOPE, INSIGHTFUL tips and POSITIVE results. This AMAZING book has changed my Fibromyalgia life." - Kris Bruinsma, FMS survivor

"I am so proud to read this book written by my friend, Chantal. Her articles have graced many publications including my own and I am thrilled that she has taken the time to make her story public. I know firsthand the power of shared experiences on recovery and know her book will make a difference to so many." -Claudia Marek, Co-author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Fibromyalgia

"This is a story of hope and determination written by an individual who has been a patient in my integrative medical practice for the past eight years. She is an outspoken advocate and our resident expert in the protocol of Paul St. Amand, MD. She has graced us with her knowledge and exuberant energy at out clinic's monthly fibromyalgia support group meetings. She is the consummate teacher and is always available to help our other fibromyalgia patients working through the subtleties of the Guaifenesin Protocol.

A must-read for anyone lost in the abyss of fibromyalgia with seemingly no apparent way out."
-Thaddeus P. Srutwa, MD, Spring Lake, MI

This issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics teaches you the latest best practices for using musculoskeletal ultrasound to diagnose and monitor the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and other rheumatic and soft tissue disorders.

Ibuprofen is one of the most successful drugs used worldwide for the treatment of mild to moderate pain and various inflammatory conditions. Over the past 40 years, ibuprofen has been proven to be as safe or even safer and also as effective as the established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the coxibs. This well-written book reviews the pharmacology, clinical uses and the various adverse effects of Ibuprofen, the disposition and unique modes of action in relation to clinical effects of the drug as well as various formulations. The use of combinations with other drugs (e.g. paracetamol, codeine, caffeine) are critically assessed and the impact of natural products and Chinese Medicines on the safety of ibuprofen.

Guest edited by Jonathan Kay, this issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics will cover the latest research and evidence surrounding the diagnosis, treatment and management of rarely seen rheumatic diseases.

This book explores comorbidity in patients with rheumatic diseases and details both care and treatment options in standard clinical practice. Patients with rheumatic diseases are clinically complex, and the interplay of their disease activity with associated conditions may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Recently there have been major advances in the management of rheumatic diseases, however, without addressing the potential comorbid conditions, including cardiovascular disease; pulmonary disease; and depression; outcomes remain poor. With its 19 chapters, covering the management of major rheumatic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus , and osteoarthritis), potential comorbidities and treatment recommendations, as well as possible interactions between conditions; this book addresses the gap between textbook medicine and day to day patients' care. Authors also discuss the new hot issue of the comorbidity index, comparing the standard tools to the recently developed indices and how they can assist the rheumatologists in determining disease burden, prognosis, and comorbidity probability. This book is an ideal clinical guide and reference that enables rheumatologists, internal medicine physicians, and residents to address the full clinical expression of these rheumatic diseases with views towards prevention or early management of comorbid conditions.

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability among older adults affecting upward of 1 in 8 adults. This issue will cover epidemiology, imaging, disease management and modification, and many more topics.

Literally thousands of papers have been published on nitric oxide over the past ten years. But there is no single monograph available that has previously attempted to summarize the important features of the roles of nitric oxide in inflammation. The voluminous literature regarding the incredible range of chemical and biological effects of nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen oxide species, RNOS, may present a tangle of confusing information to the researcher. This volume brings together experts from nitric oxide and inflammation research and presents a concise up-to-date overview as well as future aspects of this rapidly growing field.

Edited by Drs. Jack Cush and Kathryn Dao, this issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America addresses one of the most significant issues facing the rheumatologist today--drug safety in a changing world where rheumatoid arthritis (RA) severity is less, patients are being identified and treated at a very early stage, and prevention is on the horizon. Topics covered include: communicating the risk of side effects, urate-lowering therapies, biphosphonates, biologics, malignancy risks, and administering therapies to patients with co-morbidities.

Edited by Drs. Juergen Braun and Joachim Sieper, this issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics comprehensively reviews the state of the art of spondyloarthritis (SpA) diagnosis, prognosis, pathogenesis and genetic insights, and treatment. The worldwide burden of SpA now exceeds that of rheumatoid arthritis. General topics covered include inflammatory back pain, pathophysiology, imaging techniques, and therapeutic strategies.

To ensure the best possible clinical outcomes for arthritis patients, it is essential that they be seen early and treated appropriately at the earliest opportunity.? Early therapy has proven much more effective than that given late.? This issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America brings the rheumatologist up to date on the latest treatments and interventions in evolving arthritis and established early arthritis.? Topics covered include early rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, undifferentiated arthritis, oligoarthritis, osteoarthritis, and others.? Imaging modalities are addressed as well as various contemporary treatments including biologics.

Total joint replacement is an effective procedure, resulting in decreased pain and improved function and quality of life in patients of all age groups including the elderly. The use of TJR is increasing and therefore this issue reviews topics such as patient satisfaction with total joint arthroplasty, patient reported outcomes, rehabilitation with total joint arthroplasty, minimally Invasive total joint arthroplasty, and peri-operative complications of total joint arthroplasty.

The International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies is held every three years to discuss the recent advances and future directions in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). This volume collects the scientific highlights and new findings about APS that were generated from the most recent 13th Congress, held in Galveston, Texas in 2010. Chapters were written by an internationally-distinguished group of scientists from the point-of-view of multiple specialty areas. Each chapter was written in a uniform and systematic basis to present the latest evidence-based research, including the basic science of APS, task force reports from the Congress on controversial aspects of APS, and future directions of APS research. This book will appeal to all clinicians involved in the treatment and management of APS patients, to residents in a variety of medical subspecialties, and to research scientists interested in a better understanding of this complex and evolving disease.

The Guest Editors have assembled international experts in rheumatology to present an update to pediatricians. The basics are covered, including an article on the principles of inflammation in the child and one on the approach to the child with joint inflammation. From there, specifics are presented in the following articles: Laboratory Testing in Rheumatology; Rheumatologic Emergencies in newborns, children and adolescents; Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; Macrophage Activation Syndrome; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies in Childhood; Scleroderma; Vasculitis; Kawasaki disease; Autoinflammatory diseases; Approach to the patient with non-inflammatory? musculoskeletal pain; and Immune deficiency diseases with rheumatic manifestations.

This issue features internationally renowned experts who have provided their expertise on a variety of topics related to the importance of vitamin D.? It was not until feed back loops were identified between Vitamin D production and parathyroid hormone, phosphate that it earned its place as a true endocrine hormone. Current social and economic conditions have brought it back into the limelight with outbreaks of rickets and osteomalacia even in developed countries. However its complex regulation, together with the identification and characterization of the vitamin D receptor and its role in influencing multiple genetic pathways and function has heralded a new era highlighting its importance in health and disease. This includes its role in auto immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer especially breast and prostate, skin, neurological and cognitive disorders and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. We now know that adequate levels of vitamin D it is important in preventing falls and fracture.? The need for supplementation and the amount recommended has also changed considerably from what we previously considered sufficient.? The ongoing development of selective active analogs of vitamin D targeted to specific organs and function leads to the exciting possibility of? improving outcomes of diseases associated with vitamin D regulation.

This issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America provides foundational and in-depth information about paraneoplastic and cancer treatment-related rheumatic disorders, in which every practicing rheumatologist should be well-versed.? Topics covered include neoplasm risk in patients with rheumatic diseases; neoplasm risk of anti-rheumatic therapy; rheumatologic laboratory findings in malignancy; rheumatic manifestations of primary and metastatic bone tumors and paraneoplastic bone disease; neoplastic/paraneoplastic synovitis; neoplastic/paraneoplastic dermatitis, fasciitis, and panniculitis; neoplastic/paraneoplastic vasculitis, vasculopathy, and hypercoagulability; neoplastic/paraneoplastic myalgias and myositis; and less-common neoplastic/paraneoplastic syndromes.

This timely and evocative issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics explores important current and controversial topics in the treatment of osteoporosis.? And it answers some tough questions ? Here are some examples.? How long do I treat my patient Is there a place for bone turnover markers How much Vitamin D should I recommend Controversies around calcium and Vitamin D are explored regarding the coronary risk and pancreatic issues.? Emerging therapies are presented, including sclerostin and oral calcitonin.? Long-term safety concerns of antiresporptive therapy (ONJ, atypical fracture, would healing) are explained.? The utility and limitations of FRAX are covered, as well as Prolia and the RANKL pathway.? An update on glucocorticoid induced OP is given.? The reader is also brought up to date on men's health issues and OP.? This is an essential issue for any practicing rheumatologist to stay current in the field.

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine studying abnormalities and diseases of the musculoskeletal system: Joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Immunology is a branch of medicine studying abnormalities and diseases of our immune system. Immune diseases are either due to deficiency of the immune system leading to "immunodeficiency" or due to failure of recognizing the "self" from "non-se'f" and attacking the own system, leading to "autoimmune disease," or due to hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Rheumatic and Immunologic diseases are closely related because the underlying etiology of certain rheumatic diseases is abnormality of the immune system. Understanding the immune system is the key factor in recognizing the abnormalities in rheumatic diseases. Therefore, clinical immunologists and rheumatologist may occasionally see and treat similar conditions. In fact some specialists are dually trained in Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology. What makes these two branches of medicine different is their uniqueness. Rheumatologists for example evaluate and treat arthritis (diseases of the joints) such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, to name a few. Allergists and clinical Immunologists treat hypersensitivities such as allergic rhinitis, bee sting allergy, and allergic asthma, and immunological diseases such as immunodeficiencies among others. Both specialists, however deal with autoimmune diseases. Why a Book in Immunology and Rheumatology? Our musculoskeletal structure holds and protects our internal organs. Any insult to such structure, excluding acute bone fractures, results in various conditions known as rheumatic diseases. Whether the involved area is a joint, a cartilage, or a muscle, the understanding of the immune system helps to elucidate the mechanisms of such diseases. As the population ages in the 21st century, the role of rheumatology and Immunology becomes more apparent and appreciated. Approaching a patient with multiple rheumatic diseases is not an easy task. In fact our immense system is perhaps the most complicated system of the human body; this is due to presence and interactions of myriad of cells and chemical mediators that participate in complex pathways such as the inflammatory response and others to defend the body and respond to pathogens. In addition, our immune system protects us against further exposure to harmful substances. Although there are several books on the subjects of immunology and rheumatology, this case-based study of these two subjects is a unique way of reviewing and discussing such complicated areas of medicine. The Book Format: This book will be divided into 6 parts and 16 chapters. The Estimated length: 300-350 manuscript pages. As with the previous titles I have edited (and which have received very favorable reviews), each chapter will consist of 2 or more cases with discussion, and 5 multiple choice questions per case. This title will be similar to Challenging Cases in Pulmonology (Springer 2011), and Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (Springer, 2010), Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (Humana Press, 2009).

Review of Rheumatology is a synopsis of key areas of interest, making for an indispensable quick reference work. The material included reviews basic musculoskeletal anatomy, immunology, genetics, major rheumatic diseases and their pathophysiology, and major rheumatic therapeutics, as well as a unique chapter on the emerging autoinflammatory diseases.

Review of Rheumatology is a clear and concise review book written in an outline format. This book is a quick and easily accessible reference not only for those preparing for the rheumatology board exams, but it also serves as a succinct reference for all health care workers interested in the field of rheumatology.

It is imperative that health professionals caring for patients with rheumatic diseases understand how to correctly interpret evidence in their field, taking into account the merits and shortcomings of available data. "Understanding Evidence-Based Rheumatology"offers a practical assessment of criteria, drugs, trials, and registries and provides useful tools for successfully interpreting this data. The book introduces readers to basic analysis of trial design, statistics and application of data through no-nonsense, easy-to-follow insights. Using numerous examples, chapters outline the difficulties physicians encounter when measuring disease activity in rheumatology and offer strategies for systematically approaching these situations. Ethical issues in study design and reporting are examined and the book closes with a summary of future directions for scientific and clinical studies in rheumatology.

"Understanding Evidence-Based Rheumatology"is an invaluable resource for trainees, clinicians and scientists, preparing them with the necessary tools to correctly gather evidence and shed light on the difficult practice of rheumatology."

This issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics provides important updates in myopathies.? The following essential topics are covered: clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment of polymyositis and dermatomyositis; inclusion body myositis; metabolic myopathies; drug-induced myopathies; muscular dystrophies and neurologic diseases; laboratory testing and imaging; electrophysiological studies; metabolic and genetic testing; and pathology.

This comprehensive issue of the Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America provides the latest information on the intersection between endocrinology and rheumatology, and explores rheumatologic manifestations of endocrine disease.? Topics covered include thyroid disease (hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, and thyroid disorders in patients with connective tissue diseases such as RA, Sj?gren's Syndrome, scleroderma, juvenile RA, and hemochromatosis); parathyroid disease (hyperparathyroid, hypoparathyroid, rheumatic complaints associated with metabolic bone disease such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and renal osteodystrophy); diabetes mellitus (rheumatic manifestations of metabolic syndrome, diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, adhesive capsulitis, flexor tenosynovitis, and Dupuytren's contracture); adrenal disorders (Addison's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome); disorders of the pituitary gland (acomegaly and hypothalamic-gonadal axis); and pregnancy.

Following 50 years of glucocorticoid use in a clinical setting, an international body of expert scientists and physicians presents the most expansive survey of glucocorticoid pharmacology to date. This work traces the history of glucocorticoid biology from the seminal description of glucocorticoid insufficiency by Thomas Addison in the mid-19th century, up to current advances in elucidating the molecular basis of glucocorticoid action. Important discoveries are presented, as well as milestones in drug development, a survey of current clinical practice, and prospects for novel glucocorticoid-based therapeutics. Scientists and clinicians will appreciate the scope of this work, which is of special interest to workers in the fields of endocrinology, inflammation and autoimmune disease.