Reumatologia
Équipe
Dr. Andrea Acciarini
Surgeon
Specialist in Internal Medicine
Villa Stuart Private Clinic
Rheumatology
Rheumatology is the branch of medicine that deals with rheumatic diseases which, if not treated early, can lead to loss of function. Rheumatic diseases are a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions not caused by trauma that primarily affect the musculoskeletal system (joints, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments) and connective tissues, and may also involve other organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and skin. Rheumatological diseases are very common, especially among women, and can affect any age group.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of rheumatic diseases include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and limitation of movement, but may also manifest as chronic fatigue, fever, skin manifestations, and problems with dry eyes or mouth. Other warning signs may include Raynaud’s phenomenon and muscle pain.
- Chronic, recurrent pain, localized or widespread, that occurs even at rest and often improves with movement;
- Morning stiffness with difficulty starting movements
- Joint swelling and inflammation
- Limitation of movement
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Fatigue, constant tiredness, and muscle weakness
- Often mild and unexplained fever
- Skin manifestations (spots, rashes, nodules, ...)
- Systemic symptoms such as dry eyes and/or mouth, headache, memory and concentration problems
- Raynaud's phenomenon
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis of rheumatic diseases is complex because the symptoms are common to various conditions. For this reason, it may be appropriate to prescribe tests such as:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Synovial fluid tests
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- CT
- MRI
PATHOLOGIES
There are more than 150 rheumatic diseases, divided into different categories. They primarily affect joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, but may also involve other organs. The main ones are:
-
Arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Psoriatic arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Gout -
Connective tissue diseases:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Scleroderma
Sjögren's syndrome
Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Mixed connective tissue disease -
Vasculitis:
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Polyarteritis nodosa -
Degenerative diseases:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Paget's disease
Dupuytren's disease
Extra-articular rheumatism (of tendons, ligaments, bursae, and muscles)
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