Rheumatology

Rheumatism is an umbrella term for a variety of rheumatic diseases. In Switzerland alone, around 2 million people are affected. Rheumatic diseases can be caused by inflammatory processes such as arthritis and collagenoses or non-inflammatory processes such as osteoarthritis and bone diseases.

New diagnostic procedures enable early detection and treatment of rheumatism.

Rheumatology
Inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatism
Autoimmune diseases
Frequency
Treatment
Advances in diagnosis and treatment
FAQ

Quick facts about rheumatism

  • Definition: Rheumatism is an umbrella term for around 200 rheumatic diseases. These can be caused by inflammatory processes (e.g. arthritis) or non-inflammatory processes (e.g. osteoarthritis).
  • Prevalence: Some forms of rheumatism mainly affect older people (e.g. osteoarthritis, osteoporosis). However, younger people are also affected by inflammatory rheumatism (e.g. arthritis).
  • Symptoms: Due to the wide variety of rheumatic diseases, symptoms can vary. They range from joint-specific symptoms such as pain and swelling to systemic symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion and fever.
  • Diagnosis: Rheumatic diseases are diagnosed using laboratory tests and radiological examinations.
  • Treatment: The treatment of rheumatism combines drug therapies, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, lifestyle changes and, if necessary, infiltrations.

What is rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a branch of internal medicine. It deals with the research and treatment of rheumatic diseases that affect the structures of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons) and the entire connective tissue.

These diseases are often grouped under the umbrella term «rheumatism». The term is misleading in that it is not directly associated with a specific organ or system in the body. It is derived from the Greek word «rheúma», which means «flow», and was originally used to describe a mechanism that was believed to be related to a disturbed flow of «body fluids», which was thought to be responsible for triggering the disease.

Rheumatology is a very broad field: there are more than 200 rheumatic diseases, which vary in severity and frequency. Rheumatic pain can be caused by inflammatory processes such as arthritis or chronic degenerative rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Many rheumatic diseases are of great medical and social importance due to their widespread occurrence and potential physical impairment, such as rheumatoid arthritis, severe osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.

Inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatism

Rheumatic diseases can be broadly divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases.

Arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis are the most common forms of the disease: they account for more than 90% of pathological changes in the musculoskeletal system.

Rheumatic diseases often lead to stiffness and cause deformities.

Inflammatory forms

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Collagenoses
  • Inflammatory diseases of the spine and joints (e.g. ankylosing spondylitis)
  • Connective tissue diseases (e.g. lupus erythematosus)
  • Inflammatory diseases of the blood vessels
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Crystal diseases (e.g. gout)

Non-inflammatory forms

  • Degenerative musculoskeletal diseases (e.g. osteoarthritis)
  • Bone diseases (e.g. osteoporosis)
  • Localised and generalised soft tissue rheumatic diseases

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are among the most serious diseases that fall within the field of treatment of rheumatologists. In these diseases, the immune system produces antibodies against the body itself.

The diseases can then affect all organs: the heart, brain, skin, eyes, white and red blood cells, as is the case with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis, for example.

Frequency

Although many believe that rheumatism mainly affects middle-aged and older people, which is certainly the case with degenerative rheumatic diseases, inflammatory autoimmune rheumatic diseases occur most frequently in young adults and quite often in adolescents and even children.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, also known as Still's disease, is one of the most severe inflammatory rheumatic diseases known. The disease can progress chronically and lead to severe physical impairment. It usually affects children under the age of 10.

Rheumatic diseases that often affect younger people

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Common in adolescents.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Mostly in young men.

Rheumatoid arthritis

First symptoms in young women often after childbirth or during periods of stress.

Treatment

Rheumatic diseases are usually treated conservatively with medication. Infiltrations or surgery may also be used to support treatment. Depending on the form of rheumatism, lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) can reduce pain and prevent or slow down the progression of the disease.

Types of treatment (often combined):

  • Pain medication
  • Exercise therapy/sport
  • Physiotherapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Psychotherapy
  • Dietary adjustments
  • Surgical procedures

Advances in diagnosis and treatment

The widespread prevalence of rheumatic diseases and thorough research into them have led to a significant upswing in rheumatology.

The tools available to rheumatologists for diagnosing or detecting anatomical lesions and functional disorders have advanced considerably and are becoming increasingly reliable.

For example, complex laboratory tests can be used to determine the immunogenetic structure, i.e. the genes that control the immune response, or the specific autoantibodies that are often markers for certain diseases. Advances in radiology, thanks to modern imaging techniques, also mark a real turning point in research into the musculoskeletal system.

The clear diagnosis of numerous rheumatic diseases and the early and accurate detection of lesions enable more effective treatment and, in many cases, prevent the disease from progressing. The most serious diseases of the past, such as rheumatic fever or gout, which can lead to kidney failure and death, are now completely curable.

The prognosis for other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma has also improved significantly. These diseases now have a much higher survival rate, physical impairments are less severe and the quality of life of those affected has improved significantly compared to the past.

FAQ

I might suffer from rheumatism. Which doctor should I see?

The first point of contact is your family doctor, who will refer you to a specialist if necessary, e.g. a specialist in internal medicine and rheumatology, a dermatologist (e.g. for psoriatic arthritis) or a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology (e.g. for advanced cartilage wear).

How is rheumatism treated?

Rheumatic diseases are treated with medication, conservative measures and, if necessary, infiltrations or surgery.

What is the best diet for rheumatism?

An anti-inflammatory diet is recommended. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, and choose healthy fats. Avoid saturated fats, sugar, highly processed foods and alcohol.

Is rheumatism curable?

Unfortunately, in many cases it is not. However, the symptoms can be treated effectively with modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The aim is to prevent or slow down its progression.

Doctors with this specialisation

Clinique de Genolier

Dr. med. Yves Jaccard

Specialisation
Rheumatology
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