Applied Rheumatology Made Simple (A.R.M.S.)
(Part 2)
This is the second part of our discussion of Applied Rheumatology Made Simple (A.R.M.S.) Today’s focus will be on Rheumatic Diseases Commonly Seen in Primary Care Practice.
These dIseases include the following: Soft tissue rheumatism, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, Systemic lupus erythentatosus, Septic arthritis, Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Scleroderma, Henoch-Schonlein purpura
What is meant by Ambulatory rheumotology? These are some of the rheumatic diseases commonly seen in primary care practice. Soft tissue or non-articular problem are the most common, and are usually “benign”. The study found out that among the articular conditions, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the most common.
The rest of the diseases, though less common, may be considered important diseases seen in primary care practice, because they can be potentially disabling or even life-threatening.
What are the rheumatic disease categories? These are: Ambulatory rheumatology, Arthritis-rash syndromes, Chronic rheumatic diseases, and Serious rheumatic diseases. In other words, if we talk about ambulatory rheymatology, we talk about Soft tissue rheumatism, Osteoarthritis and Gout
According to the study, the following diseases – soft tissue rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout – are primarily considered under “ambulatory rheumotology” since these are either localized/non-systemic, self-limiting or entail minimal (if any) work-up. Soft tissue rheumatism, or non-articular/peri-articular syndromes, involves structure(s) around the joint.
Talking of soft tissue rheumatism, we have Tendonitis, Bursitis and Muscular strain/Mayofascial pain. Various terminologies used for these localised conditions include tendonitis, bursitis, or mayofascial pain. (To be continued)