Essential of rheumatology for medical students

Preface

Rheumatology is a branch of internal medicine and is, at the same time, closely related to immunology and other divisions of clinical medicine, particularly orthopedics. Teaching rheumatology during medical studies prepares future doctors for work as "first contact doctors". According to epidemiological data 30% of patients who attend a family doctor complain of some "rheumatic problem" i.e. one connected with the musculo-skeletal system. Such complaints can be caused by rheumatic diseases, but may also signal or accompany many other diseases. Painful and swollen joints occur, in among others, infectious diseases, or diseases of the hemopoietic system, or can be one of the symptoms of a malignant tumor. On the other hand some rheumatic diseases do not actually involve the musculo-skeletal system, and their symptoms may be due to pathological changes in other systems or organs. A general practitioner must be able to make a preliminary diagnosis for each of his patients, and therefore he is responsible for their future. He should decide as early as possible if, in a given case, he is able to provide the appropriate diagnostic examinations, give a final diagnosis and apply the treatment, or should send the patient to a specialist. In order to provide his patients with the care they need and deserve it is essential for future doctors to acquire a basic understanding of rheumatology which is the aim of this textbook.

Irena Zimmermann-Gorska M.D., Ph.D.