Systemic disease presenting as arthritis--a diagnostic approach.
It is not uncommon for patients with 'arthritis' to be presenting with a rheumatological manifestation of a systemic disease. Frequently the pain is not even of articular origin. The diagnostic challenge for the practitioner is to determine the nature of the underlying pathologic process. This article sets out to provide some guidelines for diagnosis.
Lassere
M
M
St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales.
McGuigan
L
L
D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D015431:Weight Loss