Neuroimmunoendocrine aspects of the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases are presented in this volume, and new approaches to diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are suggested.

Topics presented include gene polymorphisms and the neuroendocrine immune system in rheumatic diseases, anti-TNF strategies and effects on neuroendocrine immune mechanisms in rheumatic diseases, new perspectives on therapeutic use of glucocorticoids, nerve fibers and rheumatoid arthritis, stimulation tests of the stress axes, and sex hormones and lipid metabolism in rheumatic diseases.

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