Topical Reviews
Reports on the Rheumatic Diseases Series 4
These reports are intended to provide authoritative overviews of current areas of clinical interest and research in rheumatic diseases. They are aimed primarily at rheumatologists in training and general physicians.
WARNING: THESE PUBLICATIONS ARE INTENDED FOR MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. SOME OF THEIR CONTENTS MAY BE DISTURBING TO READERS WITH ARTHRITIS OR THEIR CARERS.
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Primary Systemic Vasculitis
May 2003 No 11 (reviewed May 2005)
The primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) – Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) – are a group of uncommon diseases characterised by inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis of blood vessel walls.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
January 2003 No 10 (reviewed February 2005)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of the population. It is characterised by symmetric, usually erosive, arthritis of the synovial joints and variable extra-articular features.
Osteoarthritis: Risk Factors and Pathogenesis
September 2002 No 9 (reviewed August 2005)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is not a single disease or process but rather the clinical and pathological outcome of a range of processes and disorders that lead to structural, and eventually symptomatic, failure of one or more synovial joints.
Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
May 2002 No 8 (reviewed April 2005)
The monozygotic twin of a subject with rheumatoid arthritis has a 25% chance of sharing disease. Two X chromosomes and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II account for part of this risk, but other genes contribute, some of which may soon be identified.
Use of Analgesics in Rheumatology
January 2002 No 7 (reviewed April 2005)
Pain can be regarded as nociceptive or pathologic. Nociceptive pain results from high intensity nerve fibre stimulation during acute injury. It functions to prevent further injury and allow healing. Pathologic pain is a maladaptive response to an initial painful stimulus.
Rheumatic Diseases Associated with Antinuclear Antibodies
September 2001 No 6 (reviewed April 2005)
The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is a hallmark of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Since first being detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IMF), ANA have been the subject of intensive study to understand their origin and role in pathogenesis.
Current Developments in Juvenile Arthritis
May 2001 No 5 (reviewed January 2005)
Musculoskeletal pain and other problems are common in childhood, occurring in 4�30% of children, and encompass common benign conditions, from hypermobility and nocturnal idiopathic pain to life-threatening conditions such as non-accidental injury and malignancy.
Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies
January 2001 No 4 (reviewed March 2005)
In this review, we will discuss the clinical features and diagnosis of seronegative spondyloarthropathies before highlighting recent advances in our understanding of the aetiology and treatment of these conditions.
Infection and Arthritis
September 2000 No 3 (reviewed January 2005)
Contrary to earlier expectations, infectious agents are now known, or suspected, to play crucial roles in a wide variety of acute and chronic rheumatic diseases, including those conventionally regarded as aseptic. Joint sepsis is re-emerging as an important cause of morbidity and mortality thanks largely to widespread antibiotic usage and drug resistance, joint replacement surgery, immunosuppressive therapy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis
May 2000 No 2 (reviewed March 2005)
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are related disorders affecting commonly the elderly and require long-term steroids. PMR is characterised by pain and stiffness, usually of sudden onset, affecting the limb girdle areas (shoulder, hip), neck and torso. Some definitions stipulate minimum disease duration and others include a rapid and dramatic response to low-dose steroids.
Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease
January 2000 No 1 (reviewed April 2005)
In total, the human skeleton contains 206 bones and comprises about 9% of the body mass by bulk and 17% by weight. Descriptions of metabolic bone diseases and differences in skeletal strength have been made over the centuries, although it is only recently through the use of cell and molecular bone biological techniques and with non-invasive measures of bone strength that our understanding of the pathological processes involved has increased.
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