title: Neurology of rheumatologic disorders.
abstract: Rheumatologic diseases encompass autoimmune and inflammatory disorders of the joints and soft tissues that often involve multiple organ systems, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. Common features include constitutional symptoms, arthralgia and arthritis, myalgia, and sicca symptoms. Neurological manifestations may present in patients with preexisting rheumatologic diagnoses, occur concurrently with systemic signs and symptoms, or precede systemic manifestations by months to years. Rheumatic disorders presenting as neurological syndromes may pose diagnostic challenges. Advances in immunosuppressive treatment of rheumatologic disease have expanded the treatment armamentarium. However, serious neurotoxic effects have been reported with both old and newer agents. Familiarity with neurological manifestations of rheumatologic diseases, diagnosis, and potential nervous system consequences of treatment is important for rapid diagnosis and appropriate intervention. This article briefly reviews the diverse neurological manifestations and key clinical features of rheumatic disorders and the potential neurological complications of agents commonly used for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Maguire 2700 Building 105, Loyola University Medical Center, Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Amre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nouh
authors.forename: Olimpia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carbunar
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruland
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009220:Myositis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents