title: Update on rheumatology: part 1.
abstract: There are many rheumatic diseases. Part 1 of this 2 part series on rheumatology presented a few of those most commonly seen in the community. Home health clinicians can be helpful in managing these diseases and preventing progression by watching for new symptoms or acute attacks of pain or disability, ensuring that patients take their medications appropriately, reminding patients to see their rheumatology providers and have their lab work done regularly, and reporting adverse effects to medications promptly. Additionally, as with most home health patients, an interdisciplinary approach that includes physical and occupational therapy, social work, nursing, nutrition, and other disciplines as needed should be implemented so that all patient needs are met and the patient is discharged at the highest level of self-care that is possible. Part 2 of this series will discuss the care of the patient with rheumatic disease at home and will provide a more in-depth look at lab diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Leslie.neal-boylan@yale.edu
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neal-Boylan
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006073:Gout / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha