Thoroughly revised and updated, the 7th Edition of Rheumatology remains a leading text in this fast-changing field, keeping you abreast of recent advances in medications, therapies, clinical trials, and much more. Dr. Mark Hochberg and his team of expert authors and editors cover everything you need to know -- from basic scientific principles to practical clinical management strategies, all in a user-friendly, accessible manner. Provides access to quick, concise videos depicting musculoskeletal ultrasound including anisotropy, "comet tail" needle artifact, rheumatoid arthritis synovitis, acute gout, and more. Uses a consistent, logical, reader-friendly format with templated content and large-scale images for efficient visual reference. Features 14 completely new chapters covering biomedical and translational science, disease and outcome assessment, including new imaging modalities and early emerging disease, clinical therapeutics, and patient management and rehabilitation. Includes updated content on the latest diagnostic perspectives and approaches to therapy including tapering down of treatment, pulmonary hypertension and scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, and the latest oral anticoagulants. Covers hot topics such as pathogenesis and pathophysiology of axial spondyloarthritis, DXA and measurement of bone, infectious arthritis, and more. Shares the knowledge and expertise of internationally recognized rheumatoid arthritis expert and new editor, Dr. Ellen Gravallese. Expert ConsultTM eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Proteus explores the idea that Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a urinary tract infection as a result of Proteus bacteria. Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe, painful and crippling disease affecting millions of people throughout the world, especially women. Genetic studies over the last 30 years have shown that individuals who possess the white cell blood groups HLA-DR1/4 carry a susceptibility sequence and are more likely to develop the disease. This book uses the methods of Sir Karl Popper, the philosopher of science, to present 12 “Popper sequences” which have been identified to indicate that Proteus is the causative agent of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Proteus proposes that Anti-Proteus therapies should be followed as early as possible to prevent the crippling and irreversible joint deformities that occur in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This volume provides a summary of the standard laboratory protocols and methodology commonly used in basic and translational studies in the field of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Chapters detail including basic RA models, evaluation of disease activity and immunological status, systemic drug delivery, and new research tools. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Rheumatoid Arthritis: Methods and Protocols aims to be a basic manual for clinical researchers who are just getting started in the field of intervention study.

The prevalence of autoimmune diseases and rheumatic conditions is constantly increasing. Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 7-10% of the population of the United States, while more than 50,000,000 American adults suffer from some type of arthritis. The Heart in Rheumatic, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases examines the complex mechanisms relating to cardiac diseases from a pathophysiological and clinical point of view. Autoimmune rheumatic diseases can affect the coronary vessels, myocardium, pericardium, heart valves and the conduction system. The diagnosis of these unique cardiac complications necessitates medical awareness and a high index of suspicion. Increased risk of advanced atherosclerosis plays a pivotal role in the development of cardiac diseases in systemic, rheumatic and autoimmune illnesses. Yet, other complex immune medicated mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis. Patients' optimal care requires coordination between the primary caregiver, the rheumatologist, immunologist and cardiologist. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors, recognition of high-risk patients and identification of subclinical cardiac conditions are of great importance. Moreover, regulation of inflammation, as well as abnormal immune responses and the initiation of early treatments should be the focus of patient management. A continuous attempt to identify novel therapeutic targets and change the natural history of the underlying disease and its cardiac manifestations is in progress. The book aims at providing the readers with a state of the art collection of up to date information regarding clinically important topics based on experts' perspectives. This book was a result of an extended coordinated collaboration of one-hundred and fifty-four distinguished scientists from thirty-one countries around the globe. - A review of common, as well as unusual (yet clinically significant) medical cardiac complications of prevalent rheumatic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. - Focuses on aspects of pathophysiological processes, clinical presentations, screening tests, prognostic implications and novel therapeutic approaches. - Presents an up-to-date "level of evidence and "strengths of recommendations for suggested therapies and reviews all randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses and other supporting published clinical findings.

This issue covers the latest developments in the understanding of rheumatoid arthritis at the early stage. Treatments such as with newer biologic agents and conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are reviewed. Also included are articles on imaging modalities as a means of identifying those in the early stages and monitoring response to treatment.

Important strides have been made in understanding the pathophysiologic basis of many inflammatory conditions in recent years, but rheumatology remains a discipline in which diagnosis is rooted in the medical history skillfully extracted from the patient, the careful physical examination, and the discriminating use of laboratory tests and imaging. Moreover, selection of the most appropriate therapy for patients with rheumatic diseases also remains heavily reliant upon clinical experience. Medical disciplines such as rheumatology that depend significantly upon clinical wisdom are prone to the development of systems of ‘Pearls’ and ‘Myths,’ related to the diseases they call their own, a ‘Pearl’ being a nugget of truth about the diagnosis or treatment of a particular disease that has been gained by dint of clinical experience and a ‘Myth’ being a commonly held belief that influences the practice of many clinicians – but is false. This book will pool together the clinical wisdom of seasoned, expert rheumatologists who participate in the care of patients with autoimmune diseases, systemic inflammatory disorders, and all other rheumatic conditions.

Vaccines have made it possible to eradicate the scourge of smallpox, promise the same for polio, and have profoundly reduced the threat posed by other diseases such as whooping cough, measles, and meningitis. What is next? There are many pathogens, autoimmune diseases, and cancers that may be promising targets for vaccine research and development. This volume provides an analytic framework and quantitative model for evaluating disease conditions that can be applied by those setting priorities for vaccine development over the coming decades. The committee describes an approach for comparing potential new vaccines based on their impact on morbidity and mortality and on the costs of both health care and vaccine development. The book examines: Lessons to be learned from the polio experience. Scientific advances that set the stage for new vaccines. Factors that affect how vaccines are used in the population. Value judgments and ethical questions raised by comparison of health needs and benefits. The committee provides a way to compare different forms of illness and set vaccine priorities without assigning a monetary value to lives. Their recommendations will be important to anyone involved in science policy and public health planning: policymakers, regulators, health care providers, vaccine manufacturers, and researchers.

This book is a practical and up-to-date review that discusses the impact of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the effect of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and severity on cardiovascular comorbidity, and the influence of rheumatoid arthritis drug therapy on cardiovascular risk. This title also explores cardiovascular disease as a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis and highlights the available methods for screening and diagnosing these conditions. Current and emerging therapies to aid clinicians in the daily management of their patients are also featured in this title. Busy healthcare professionals who are looking for a collaborative approach to these conditions will benefit from this comprehensive overview.

Atlas of Rheumatoid Arthritis is a high-quality educational initiative, written by leaders in the field of rheumatology, containing a collection of approximately 150 relevant images, with extended descriptive captions and a comprehensive bibliography. The Atlas of Rheumatoid Arthritis will provide clinicians with a visual guide to rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on assessment, diagnosis and treatment, including newer research into the signalling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RA, before focusing on the treatment of RA. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common and most serious of the inflammatory arthritic disorders, and it dominates clinical rheumatological practice. Effective, early treatment is vital as this can slow the course of the disease and reduce joint damage. RA is usually treated using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), most commonly methotrexate. The newest treatments target the disease-causing immune elements specifically and directly.

This brand new textbook of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an important addition to the Oxford Textbooks in Rheumatology series, and provides a comprehensive overview of both the scientific and clinical aspects of the disease. Divided into eight sections - from the history, diagnosis, and epidemiology of the disease, through the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and assessment to treatments and management strategies, both drug- and non-drug based - each chapter is written by leading clinicians and scientists in the field to deliver a contemporary view of RA. During the past two decades there have been revolutionary changes in the understanding and management of rheumatoid arthritis, in particular the development of biological treatments. This has had wide-ranging effects on almost all aspects of treatment, from effectiveness and intensity to the nature and the cost. Providing a comprehensive account of the modern ideas about the disease, the Oxford Textbook of Rheumatoid Arthritis is a key new addition to the literature, with each chapter providing a detailed background, key recent advances, and areas of doubt and future developments. Featuring over 170 photographs, radiological images, and clinical charts to aid both diagnosis and illustrate the rationale behind key scientific studies, this new title will prove an indispensable resource for specialist rheumatologists, trainees in rheumatology, and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.