Rheumatism: An Overview of Inflammatory Joint Diseases

Rheumatism refers to a variety of inflammatory conditions affecting the joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. While the term "rheumatism" is no longer commonly used in medical terminology, it encompasses a range of rheumatic diseases that cause joint pain and swelling. This article explores what rheumatism is, the most common rheumatic diseases, their symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.

Introduction

Rheumatism is an outdated umbrella term for disorders characterized by inflammation and pain in the connective tissues and structures supporting the body’s joints. These rheumatic conditions often involve immune system dysfunction. Women are more frequently affected than men. While rheumatism itself is not a specific diagnosis, some of the most common rheumatic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and vasculitis. Getting an accurate diagnosis and starting treatment early are key to managing symptoms and limiting joint damage.

Common Rheumatic Diseases

There are over 100 different rheumatic diseases. Some of the most prevalent types are:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder causing chronic inflammation of the joints. It typically starts in smaller joints like those in the hands and feet before progressing to larger joints. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness, particularly in the morning. RA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and can also affect other tissues like the eyes, lungs, and blood vessels.

Gout

Gout results from a buildup of uric acid crystals in the tissues, often the big toe joint. Periodic flare-ups cause intense pain, swelling, heat, redness, and tenderness. Uric acid crystals may also form kidney stones. Gout often goes along with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis refers to inflammation of the body’s blood vessels. Depending on which vessels are affected, vasculitis can cause organ damage, skin rashes, and neuropathy. Symptoms may include fever, weakness, weight loss, cough, rashes, numbness, and joint pain.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease causing systemic inflammation and tissue damage. It has a variety of symptoms, including joint pain and stiffness, rashes, mouth sores, fever, chest pain, hair loss, and fatigue. Lupus has periods of flare-ups and remission.

Scleroderma

Scleroderma involves thickening and hardening of the skin and connective tissues. Symptoms vary based on the tissues affected but often include hardened, tight skin, digestive issues, joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Some forms of scleroderma can be fatal.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome destroys the glands that produce moisture. Symptoms result from dry eyes and dry mouth but may also include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue. It typically occurs along with another rheumatic or autoimmune disorder.

Polymyositis

Polymyositis involves chronic muscle inflammation and progressive weakness. It may affect the muscles closest to the trunk like those around the shoulders, hips, and neck. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness.

Risk Factors for Developing Rheumatic Diseases

The exact causes of rheumatic diseases remain unclear, but certain factors can increase susceptibility:

• Genetics: Many rheumatic conditions likely involve inherited genetic predispositions. Ethnic background influences risk for some diseases.
• Infections: Certain bacterial or viral infections may trigger the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues, resulting in rheumatic diseases.
• Hormones: Rheumatic disease risk is higher in women after puberty, indicating hormones may play a role. Conditions often improve during pregnancy but worsen after childbirth.
• Age: The risk of developing rheumatic diseases increases with age as the immune system declines.
• Obesity: Excess weight strains joints and increases inflammation, potentially contributing to some rheumatic diseases.
• Diet: For example, high purine foods like meat and alcohol raise the risk of gout attacks.
• Smoking: Smoking worsens disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.

While rheumatic diseases themselves are not preventable, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet and regular exercise may help reduce risk. Losing excess weight takes pressure off joints. Avoiding tobacco use is also recommended.

Conclusion

Rheumatism is an antiquated term for various disorders causing joint inflammation, pain, and damage. Many of these rheumatic conditions involve dysregulation of the immune system. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is essential because treatments can vary considerably depending on the specific type of rheumatic disease present. Early treatment helps control symptoms, improve physical functioning, and slow disease progression to limit permanent joint damage.

References

Arthritis Foundation. What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis

Johns Hopkins. Rheumatism.

Healthline. Understanding Rheumatism.

Mayo Clinic. Vasculitis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20363435