Preface

Rheumatology is a branch of science dealing mainly with rheumatic conditions and their therapies. Keeping in mind all these aspects, this book includes chapters that explain the basics and therapies of rheumatology. Although this book has limited chapters it is hoped that it will help those interested in the field of rheumatology.

> **Wahid Khan** Department of Clinical Biochemistry College of Medicine King Khalid University Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

**Section 1**

**Basic Rheumatology**

**Basic Rheumatology**

**Chapter 1**

**Provisional chapter**

**Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Rheumatology**

Rheumatology is a branch of science dealing with the different conditions that affect musculoskeletal tissues such as joints, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligament, and muscles. Rheumatism refers to various painful conditions that affect these tissues. Rheumatic diseases are those groups of diseases showing pain followed by reduction in the range of motion and function of musculoskeletal tissues. Arthritis is also one type of rheumatic disease referring to joint inflammation whether for joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, or joints damage. Most common types of rheumatic disease are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (**Figure 1**). The autoimmune diseases (such as RA, SLE, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel) have complex pathogenesis and multiple etiologies [1]. Studies have reviewed the role of various factors including genetic factors, epigenetic regulation, and environmental factors (such as cigarette smoking, crystalline silica, Epstein-Barr virus and reproductive hormones) in the pathogenesis of these autoimmune diseases [1]. There are many evidences showed that autoimmune diseases are multigenetic and their identification is associated with various types of genes [2]. There are a group of genes which induced the expression of proteins involved in various key pathophysiological pathways such as formation and clearance of immune complexes or apoptotic material, control of innate and adaptive immunity, production of immunological molecules like cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules [3, 4]. Autoimmune patients have a great diversity in their genetic background and the nature of genes decides what kind of responsiveness is required to change the state of immune system [5]. There are various environmental factors that play an important role in these autoimmune diseases. These include infectious agents, ultraviolet (UV) light, and chemical or other compounds modifying immunological responses like environmental pollutants, drugs, or other behav-

**Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Rheumatology**

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.81595

Wahid Ali Khan

**1. Introduction**

Wahid Ali Khan

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81595

ioral habits such as smoking or diet [6, 7].

#### **Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Rheumatology Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Rheumatology**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.81595

#### Wahid Ali Khan Wahid Ali Khan

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81595
