rheumatiske

Rheumatiske, or rheumatic diseases, refer to a broad group of conditions that affect joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues. These disorders range from inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, as well as soft-tissue pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

Rheumatic diseases are typically characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced function, with symptoms that may be intermittent or chronic. Common categories include inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis), osteoarthritis, gout and other crystal arthropathies, connective tissue diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma), and soft-tissue conditions (fibromyalgia).

Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation supported by laboratory tests such as CRP and ESR, autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, ANA), and imaging studies (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI). Because many rheumatic symptoms overlap across conditions, diagnosis can be complex and may require ongoing assessment.

Treatment is multidisciplinary and may include physical therapy, exercise, weight management, and other non-pharmacologic approaches, as well as medications such as NSAIDs, analgesics, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine, biologics (TNF inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors), corticosteroids, and specific therapies for gout such as urate-lowering drugs and colchicine.

Prognosis varies by condition; many rheumatic diseases are chronic with periods of remission and flare-ups. Early diagnosis and treatment improve function and quality of life. Epidemiology indicates that rheumatic diseases are among the most common chronic conditions worldwide, with a higher prevalence in women for many disorders. Historically, the term rheumatism referred to a wide range of aches and pains; modern usage groups these disorders under the umbrella of rheumatic diseases.