McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine
Interviews
Rheumatology
Classification and diagnosis of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases

Classification and diagnosis of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases

2020-01-09

Christian Dejaco

Recorded at the 5th McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine (MIRCIM).

Dr Christian Dejaco is an associate professor in the Department of Rheumatology at the Medical University of Graz (Austria) and author of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica and large vessel vasculitis.

How can we classify immune-mediated rheumatic diseases? Why is it particularly important to diagnose and treat them early?

Christian Dejaco, MD, PhD: Regarding our first question, how we can classify immune-mediated rheumatic diseases, in principle we have 4 big groups of inflammatory rheumatic diseases: arthritis, inflammatory diseases of the spine, connective tissue diseases, and vasculitis. Of course, within these big 4 groups we have several subclassifications and several different diseases.

The importance of diagnosing rheumatic diseases early is because we can prevent damage and the whole course of the disease by early diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases.

See also

Rheumatological emergencies A lecture by Dr Bhaskar Dasgupta, from Southend University Hospital, UK, delivered at McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine in Kraków in May 2018.
Clinical and laboratory features of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy What clinical features and laboratory test results suggest idiopathic inflammatory myopathy?
Biologics used in rheumatic diseases The number of indications for the use of biologic drugs in rheumatic diseases is growing. Which classes of biologics are currently used?
Osteoporosis in the elderly: what can be done A lecture by Dr Alexandra Papaioannou, from McMaster University, Canada, delivered at McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine in Kraków in May 2018.
Developments in the diagnosis and treatment of systemic vasculitis What is new in the diagnosis and treatment of systemic vasculitis?
2014 International Criteria for Behçet Disease What is new in the 2014 International Criteria for Behçet Disease?
Effectiveness of pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly What is the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis in elderly patients? Do bisphosphonates reduce the risk of fractures if started late in life, eg, in patients aged >80 years?
Extra-articular manifestations in spondyloarthritis A lecture by Dr Filip Van den Bosch, from Ghent University, Belgium, delivered at McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine in Kraków in May 2017.

We would love to hear from you

Comments, mistakes, suggestions?

We use cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience on our website. Refer to our Cookies Information and Privacy Policy for more details.