rheumatic

Rheumatic is an adjective used in medicine to describe conditions that affect the connective tissues, joints, muscles, and bones. In modern usage, it is most closely associated with rheumatology, the medical specialty that studies rheumatic diseases. The term derives from Greek rhēuma for “flow” or flux, historically referring to disorders thought to affect the flow of body humors, though today it denotes a broad range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions.

Rheumatic diseases comprise a wide spectrum, including inflammatory and autoimmune arthritides, connective tissue disorders, and soft tissue diseases. Common examples include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and fibromyalgia. Degenerative and metabolic conditions affecting joints, such as osteoarthritis, are often discussed within the broader scope of rheumatic diseases.

People with rheumatic diseases may experience joint pain, stiffness (often in the morning), swelling, reduced range of motion, and fatigue. Symptoms can be chronic or episodic. Disease patterns vary by condition.

Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, patient history, and tests: inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), autoantibodies (RF, anti-CCP), imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI). Treatment aims to control inflammation, relieve pain, and prevent joint damage, using NSAIDs, DMARDs (e.g., methotrexate), biologic agents, corticosteroids, physical therapy, and lifestyle measures. Management often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Rheumatic fever is a specific acute complication of untreated streptococcal throat infection that can involve the heart, joints, and nervous system; it is preventable with prompt antibiotic treatment of strep throat and aftercare.