Rheumatological Conditions

This chapter provides an overview of rheumatological conditions that are relevant to pain medicine or can be associated with chronic pain. Common rheumatological conditions are included, such as ankylosing spondylitis, gout, hypermobility, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. It also describes the importance of biomarkers and investigations which are used for the diagnosis and the ongoing management of rheumatological conditions. The osteoporosis topic outlines the importance of bone density measurements, and it explains the treatment of vertebral fractures at an earlier and later stage. Incidence, pathophysiology, aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment are included for common rheumatological conditions in pain medicine.