Rheumatology

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. These diseases, which usually result from problems with the immune system, can affect joints, muscles, bones, tendons and connective tissues. Rheumatological diseases can affect many organs, especially joint and skin involvement, by causing inflammatory conditions.

Rheumatological Diseases and Their Definition

Rheumatological diseases are generally included in the group of autoimmune diseases that affect connective tissues. The main diseases are as follows:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Shows skin rashes, joint pain and involvement in different organs.
• Sjögren Syndrome: An immune system disease that causes dry eyes and mouth.
• Scleroderma: Causes skin hardening and organ involvement.
• Myositis: Characterized by muscle inflammation.

Spondyloarthritis Group Diseases

This group usually affects the spine and large intestine. are inflammatory diseases that affect the joints. The main diseases are:

• Ankylosing Spondylitis: It can affect the spine and sacroiliac joints and cause posture problems.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: It is joint inflammation that develops on the basis of psoriasis.
• Reactive Arthritis: It is joint inflammation that develops after infection.
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: It is joint involvement that develops on the basis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Behçet's Disease

Behçet's disease is a common condition in Turkey, causing recurrent mouth ulcers and eye inflammation. (veitis) and vascular inflammation. Thrombosis in the vessels and various organ involvements may also be observed.

Vasculitis (Vascular Inflammation)

Vasculitis are diseases that progress with vascular inflammation. It can affect large, medium and small vessels:

• Large Vessel Vasculitis: Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis.
• Middle Vessel. Vasculitis: Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN).
• Small Vessel Vasculitis: Granulomatous polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), eosinophilic granulomatosis polyangiitis (EGPA).

Autoinflammatory Diseases

These diseases, which are associated with genetic factors and progress in attacks, are characterized by abdominal pain, joint inflammation and high fever:

• Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF): It is a disease that is common in Turkey and causes periodic fever and abdominal pain.
• Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MVK): It is a rarely seen periodic fever syndrome.
• TRAPS: It is a periodic syndrome associated with the TNF receptor.

Symptoms of Rheumatological Diseases

• Joint pain and swelling
• Morning stiffness
• Skin
• Muscle weakness
• High fever
• Eye inflammation
• Chest and abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatological diseases is of great importance. Organ damage can be prevented through correct diagnosis and regular follow-up. Biological treatments offered by modern medicine, especially anti-TNF agents, provide effective results in the treatment of many diseases. Disease management is provided in collaboration with different branches with a multidisciplinary approach.

When symptoms of rheumatological diseases are observed, it is recommended to get support from a specialist rheumatologist.