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.

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).

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.

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 brilliantly pairs a rheumatologist with a pulmonologist to explore each of the 14 article topics.? Topics include autoantibody testing, ultility of bronchoalveolar lavage in autoimmune disease, and pulmonary manifestations of such conditions as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Inflammatory Myopathies, and Relapsing Polychondritis.? The pulmonary vasculitities are discussed, as is antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, and the impact of osteoporosis on pulmonary fuction.? Toxicity and monitoring of immunosuppressive therapy used in systemic autoimmune diseases is reviewed, as is lung transplantation in autoimmune diseases.

This issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics brings the rheumatologist up to date on the latest complimentary and alternative treatments for their patients. Therapies such as tai chi, yoga, mindfulness meditation, fish oil, herbal medicine, and glucosamine are covered. Numerous clinical conditions are addressed, notably fibromyalgia and lupus. The scope of use of alternative treatments is explored, and both adult and pediatric patients are covered.

There are numerous monographs devoted to rheumatoid arthritis.? What sets this issue apart is that it keeps an eye to the future.? Topics explored include measurement of RA disease activity today and in the future; epidemiology of RA - implications for prevention and risk assessment; genes that predispose to RA - relevance to current and future therapeutic strategies; multiple kinases - assessment of the best targets in treating RA; assessment, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular morbidity in RA; mechanistic insights and approaches to prevention of bone damage in RA; cell-cell interactions in RA synovium as potential new targets for treatment; alternative strategies for modulating the function of B lymphocytes in RA; innate immunity in RA; ascertainment and management of preclinical RA.

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.

Rheumatic (or systemic autoimmune) diseases disproportionately affect young women: the female-to-male ratio for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus during the reproductive years is approximately 9:1. In the mid- to late-twentieth century, women with rheumatic disease diagnoses were often advised to avoid pregnancy due to fear of disease exacerbation and adverse outcome. In more recent years, many women with rheumatic disease have deferred childbearing until a later age due to active disease or unsafe therapies. However, with advances in rheumatology therapies, obstetric monitoring, and reproductive medicine technologies, increasing numbers of women with rheumatic diseases are pursuing pregnancy. As a result, obstetricians and rheumatologists need to be aware of the current state of knowledge and the recommendations for management of pregnancy in these patients. Contraception and Pregnancy in Patients with Rheumatic Disease explains the basics of contraception, fertility treatment, and pregnancy in rheumatic disease patients and serves as a guide and reference tool for both rheumatologists and OB/GYNs. Most general rheumatologists and OB/GYNs have limited experience in caring for rheumatic disease patients during pregnancy, and many do not have ready access to expert colleagues in this area. This book summarizes the current state of knowledge and presents a general approach for assessment of the rheumatic disease patient considering pregnancy, hormonal contraception or infertility treatment.

Rheumatic diseases are among the most frequently encountered problems in primary care practice.? The aim of this issue is to provide primary care clinicians with the tools they need for treating these disorders in every day practice.? The issue focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of common rheumatic ailments such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosis, emphasizing the practical, hands-on approach that primary care doctors find most useful.

This issue of the Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America provides the rheumatologist with the latest information on diagnosis and treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.? Topics covered inlucde epidemiology; history; pathogenesis; autoantibodies in ANCA-associated vasculitis (including drug-induced ANCAs); pauci-immune renal disease; ocular manifestations; diagnostic approach (including mimickers); Wegener's Granulomatosis; Churg-Strauss Syndrome; microscopic polyangiitis; outcome measures; and the future of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis.

Hypermobility of Joints 4th Edition follows the same format as its successful predecessors. The aim of which was to provide an overview of hyperlaxity of joints and this edition follows that aim by describing the most recent research and new developments in biochemistry, as well as providing practical advice on clinical features and management.

Hypermobility of Joints 4th Edition provides illustrative case histories, a review of hypermobility in the performing arts and sports and an outline of heritable hypermobility syndromes. This book is a valuable reference tool for a wide number of specialties, although it will particularly be of interest to rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons and medical geneticists.

This issue of the Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America brings the rheumatologist up to date on the latest practices in quantitative assessment of common musculoskeletal conditions. Topics covered include quantitative measures of rheumatic diseases for clinical research versus standard clinical care; monitoring outcomes of arthritis and longitudinal data collection in routine care using a patient questionnaire; electronic and computer-generated patient questionnaires; integrating patient questionnaire data into electronic medical records; the SDI and CDAI; using SPERA for efficient capture of essential data from patients and health professionals; MDHAQ and RAPID scores; a proposed continuous quality improvement approach to assessment and management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; and DAS28.

This issue brings the rheumatologist on the current thinking on treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, with an eye to the future.? Topics covered include B cell biology and related therapies; glutamate receptor biology and its clinical significance in neuropsychiatric SLE; platelet C4d and vascular complications; biomarkers in lupus nephritis; endothelial function and its implications for cardiovascular and renal disease in SLE; changing worldwide epidemiology of SLE and its relationship to environmental, ethnic, and other sociodemographic factors; work loss, disability, quality of life, and compliance in SLE; pediatric lupus; metabolic syndrome and related endocrine abnormalities; the significance of interferon and the consequences of anti-interferon in SLE; and cutaneous lupus and the CLASI instrument.

This issue takes a multimodality approach to imaging of osteoarthritis. Clinical issues including an overview of the disease and imaging as an aid to evaluate patient functionality are also reviewed. Not only are current standards for imaging covered, but also newer techniques under development.

This issue of the Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America brings the rheumatologist up to date on the latest breakthroughs in the assessment and treatment of infections in rheumatic diseases. Lumiary ACR Master, Luis Espinoza Guest Edited this issue, which covers topics including molecular biology of infectious agents ion chronic arthritis; gonococcal and non-gonococcal arthritis; soft tissues (bursitis, tendonitis) infections; clinical and medical management of reactive arthritis; septic complications in pediatric and adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus; Lyme arthritis; the role of parvovirus B19 in chronic arthritis; hepatitis C-associated rheumatic disorders; hepatitis B-related autoimmune manifestations; HIV-associated rheumatic disorders; assessment of latent tuberculosis in rheumatic disorders; and infectious complications of biologic agents.

This issue of the Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America brings the rheumatologist up to date on the latest breakthroughs in the assessment and treatment of fibromyalgia. Topics covered include fibromyalgia and central sensitization disorders; neurobiology/pathophysiology of fibromyalgia; genetics and socioenvironmental influences; neuroimaging; dysautonomia; sleep; cognition; fibromyalgia in children and adolescents; key symptom domains to be assessed in fibromyalgia; patient-reported outcome measures; nonpharmacologic therapy, including exercise, cognitive behavioral, biofeedback, acupuncture, CAM, and nutrition; pharmacotherapy; and pathophysiology and practical treatment paradigms.

As many as fifteen million American women, or 5 percent of the adult female population in the US, suffer from the disabling medical condition known as fibromyalgia. If one takes into account husbands, partners, children, and other close relatives, the proportion of the American population directly or indirectly affected by fibromyalgia could be as high as 10 percent, or thirty million persons.
Nonetheless, the medical community is divided over the reality of this condition. One side argues, sometimes heatedly, that the patients are masquerading - pretending a disability they know they do not have. The other side counters, with equal passion, that fibromyalgia sufferers are abused by a society that fails to give them the support they deserve while painfully suffering from this severely debilitating illness.
Without taking sides, Dr. M. Clement Hall presents six fictional, though factually based, case studies of typical patients from differing socioeconomic backgrounds and describes the varying investigations, diagnoses, and treatments they have undergone. Each of these case studies represents a composite of many years of clinical practice rather than one specific patient. Collectively, they cover the range of experiences fibromyalgia patients are likely to have encountered.
By taking this unique approach, Dr. Hall presents an objective overview of the fibromyalgia situation today in North America. Patients, family members, and physicians will see themselves reflected in the descriptions and will gain a broader understanding of this challenging illness.

In All About Fibromyalgia, the authors provide a thoroughly revised and updated version of the highly successful Making Sense of Fibromyalgia, which was endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter. This new volume continues to provide a comprehensive guide - for both patients and professionals - to this little known and poorly understood syndrome. It has now also been completely updated with the current understanding of the disease, and includes information on the latest drug treatments.

Almost 21 million people in the United States are afflicted by osteoarthritis and it accounts for nearly 25% of all visits to primary care physicians. Moreover, close to 50% of those 65 and older will develop symptoms of this disorder This issue of Medical Clinics examines the clinically important aspects of osteoarthritis and features articles on the following topics: epidemiology; etiopathogenesis; the role of bone and meniscus in disease genesis; genetics; joint mechanics; symptoms, imaging; overview of management; obesity and management of body weight; the role of muscle in disease genesis; use of orthotic devices; the role of analgesics and intra-articular injections in disease management; potential pharmacologic treatments; and surgical interventions.

Surgery of the Rheumatoid Hand and Wrist is a text book providing an up-to- date overview of the modern surgical treatments to the hand and wrist of patients suffering with inflammatory arthritis. Soft tissue deformity and joint replacement are treated throughout the book with a presentation of the latest design of implants for the wrist and fingers, written by design surgeons. Also included are a number of discussions with regard to various types of arthroplasty as related to the various clinical presentations. Modern up- to-date surgical principles and surgical techniques addressing problems in inflammatory arthritis of the hand and wrist. Long term role of surgery is addressed. Contributions from world renowned surgeons.

This comprehensive volume provides current state of the art of the use of corticosteroids in the pediatric patient. It consists of 14 chapters written by leading authors from different countries. The first chapters cover historical notes, general concepts on treatment with corticosteroids with regard to indications and side effects, and basic pharmacologic properties of these compounds. The rest of the book is devoted to the specific use of steroids in the different pediatric subspecialties. Despite advances with newer effective immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids still remain the mainstay of therapy for many disorders. Leading authors in their field have summarized these concepts to provide an authoritative, comprehensive guide to help clinicians safely and effectively use corticosteroids in their pediatric patients.

This next volume in our established series proposes to systematically review the basic science and clinical knowledge of the role of free radicals and antioxidants, collectively known as "oxidative stress", in the pathology of arthritis and other joint diseases. It will describe the most current diagnostic tools , laboratory methods and technology, to suggest ways of prevention and treatment and to emphasize the concept of the bench-to-bedside approach. The book will also provide specific coverage on emerging technology and medical applications including discussions of biomarkers and antioxidants as therapeutic agents and several more relevant aspects. In addition, the book will promote the concept of using biomarkers representative of oxidative stress reactions and free radical damage , as well as describe the effect of antioxidants in treating disease in clinical trials. The content will be valuable to researchers studying the development of arthritis/joint disease, and clinicians treating patients with these diagnoses.

In this issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics, guest editors Drs. M. Elaine Husni and George A. Karpouzas bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Cardiovascular Complications of Chronic Rheumatic Diseases. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as primary and secondary atherosclerotic cardiovascular (ASCVD) risk prevention in the rheumatic disease, pro-thrombotic and pro-atherogenic anti-phospholipid antibodies, recommendations for the use of NSAIDs and CVD risk, and more. Contains 9 relevant, practice-oriented topics including atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk stratification in the rheumatic diseases; subclinical atherosclerosis evaluation across various vascular territories; lessons from heart and large vessel biopsies in patients with and without autoimmune rheumatic disease; the role of lipoprotein levels and function in atherosclerosis associated with autoimmune rheumatic diseases; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on cardiovascular complications of chronic rheumatic diseases, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.