Rheumatology in Clinical Practice

Rheumatology refers to a subspecialty of pediatrics and internal medicine that focuses on the joints, soft tissues and heritable connective tissue disorders. This discipline is also concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, gout, polymyositis, Sjogren's syndrome, polychondritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Physical examination including multiple joint examination and musculoskeletal inspection along with specialized tests such as general musculoskeletal exam (GMSE) and screening musculoskeletal exam (SMSE) can be utilized for diagnosing rheumatic diseases. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), analgesics, methotrexate, steroids, as well as monoclonal antibodies like adalimumab and infliximab are used to treat the majority of rheumatic diseases. This book explores all the important aspects of clinical rheumatology in the modern day. It strives to provide a fair idea about rheumatic diseases and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances in their clinical management. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.