Origin of rheumatology can be traced to ancient times.
Diseases such as gout and osteoarthritis were prevalent in
ancient people. Many ancient skeletons show evidence.
Various forms of arthritis has been described in literature. Ancient books on Indian Medicine, Charaka Samhita, gives a vivid description of many variants of arthritis. Various historical eminent personality suffered from rheumatological disorders.(1)
Rheumatology has its origin in the word “rheuma” which means flowing, and is mentioned in Hippocratic corpus.
Rheuma is a Greek word refers to body fluid i.e blood or bodily discharge from mucous membrane.
Before 17th century, joint pain was thought to be caused by viscous humor seeping into the joints.
Rheumatism pronounced as " roo-muh-tiz-uhm "
Guillaume de Baillou (1538-1616), a French physician, father of rheumatology introduced the term “rheumatism” for joint ailments in his book titled “The Book on Rheumatism and Back pain.”
Rheumatism originated from a Latin word "rheumatismus" or Greek word "rheumatismós".
Rheumatology developed as a well-recognized specialty of medicine in the 20th century.
Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that deals with the investigation, diagnosis and management of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. These diseases are usually caused by problems in the immune system, inflammation, infections, or the gradual deterioration of joints, muscles and bones.(2)
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions affect soft tissues, joints, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscles – also known as connective tissues.
Rheumatological disorders: Majority of rheumatological disorders are not common conditions mainly occurs due to pathological inflammation & auto-immunity affecting joints(arthritis), cartilage(chondritis), muscles(myositis), tendons(tendinitis), entheses(enthesitis), bursa(bursitis) etc. This disorders are best managed by rheumatologists.
There are almost more than 200 conditions affecting joints, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursa.
Few examples are : Rheumatoid Arthritis(R.A), Spondyloarthropathies(SPA), Gout & other crystal associated arthritis. Other disorders like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(SLE), Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis(IIM), Systemic Sclerosis(SSc), Sjogren's Syndrome(SjS), Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome(APS), Relapsing polychondritis, Systemic & cutaneous Vasculitis, Sarcoidosis and Infection associated arthritis.
Rheumatologists also deals with various non inflammatory musculoskeletal problems like Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Tennis or Golfer's Elbow etc.
Rheumatologists also treat conditions like Osteoporosis, Osteomalacia, Fluororosis, Ochronosis etc.
Rheumatologist is an internist or physician or pediatrician who received further training of minimum two years in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and rheumatic diseases.
Training of Rheumatologist in India: Rheumatologist receive training of minimum two years (Fellowship courses) or three years (Super specialty certified course) after completion of their postgraduate studies in Internal Medicine/ General Medicine or Pediatrics. In India NBE (Via NEET-SS), JIPMER & AIIMS conduct entrance examination for certified super specialty training in rheumatology. They are entitled with DM i.e Doctorate of Medicine in clinical immunology & rheumatology or DNB SS in Rheumatology recognized by Medical council of India. Various Institutes provides a two year fellowship courses which are recognized by Indian rheumatology association but not by medical council of India.
When you need to visit a rheumatologist ?
This field of medicine is multidisciplinary in nature, which means it relies on close relationships with other medical specialties like dermatology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, nephrology, orthopedics etc.
Most of the patients are referred by primary care physician when there is concern for an underlying rheumatic condition.
In India you can directly approach a rheumatologist if you see severe painful swollen or deforming joints, chronic inflammatory back pain etc.
very well explained 👍
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