What do you mean by rheumatic disease or conditions?

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Throughout the questionnaire you may see the phrase, “arthritis or rheumatic disease.” The term “rheumatic disease” encompasses a number of different conditions, many of which affect the joints and are commonly referred to as “arthritis”. The official definition is: “Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are a diverse group of diseases that commonly affect the joints but can also affect the muscles, other tissues, and internal organs. There are more than 200 different RMDs, affecting both children and adults. They are usually caused by problems of the immune system, inflammation, infections or gradual deterioration of joints, muscle, and bones. Many of these diseases are long term and worsen over time. They are typically painful and Iimit function. In severe cases, RMDs can result in significant disability, having a major impact on both quality of life and life expectancy.”*

You can read much more about this topic in the Summer 2020 issue of our magazine:

ForwardMagazine_Su2020

* Definition provided by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). Visit EULAR.org to learn more.

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