Rheum approach Understand how a rheumatologist approaches the history as the first step in

making a diagnosis. Understand how laboratory tests and radiographs are used to help narrow

down the possibilities.

Spondyloarthropathies Identify the primary site of involvement in spondyloarthropathy and explain

how joint fusion occurs in relation to this. Describe the HLA association of the spondyloarthropathies. Describe the usual pattern of joint involvement. Describe the X-ray appearance of the spondyloarthropathies. Define bamboo spine and sausage digit, and explain their pathogenesis. Distinguish between the spondyloarthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis. List the microbes associated with Reactive Arthritis (formerly Reiter’s

syndrome), and explain how they might be pathogenetically involved. Describe the features typical of back pain of an inflammatory origin. List treatment strategies for this group of diseases.

SLE Describe SLE in general terms. Describe cardinal manifestations of SLE. Describe how diagnosis is made. Describe autoantibodies and significance. Describe pathogenesis of SLE. Describe major therapies. SLE is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease which involves multiple

organ systems. It is associated with multiple autoantibodies, esp. anti-nuclear antibody (ANA). Lupus is most prevalent in women during the reproductive years, with a gender ratio of 9:1 (3:1 after menopause). It is more common in African-Americans and Asians. No single clinical finding or laboratory test establishes the diagnosis; rather, SLE is a "clinical diagnosis" (see Approach to the Patient with Rheumatologic Disease).

Vasculitis Provide introduction to vasculitis and foundation for their consideration in

clinical medicine. List clinical features suggesting vasculitis. Distinguish major forms of vasculitis according to size of vessel involved. Describe diagnostic evaluation of patient with possible vasculitis. Describe basic treatment strategy. Discuss possible underlying pathophysiology of vasculitis.

Infectious Arthritis Know the classification of the disease. Understand the basic pathophysiology of the disease. Know the common microbiologic agents causing septic arthritis. Identify the risk factors for septic arthritis. Learn how to recognize an infected joint and formulate a differential

diagnosis. Know the diagnostic tests commonly used in septic arthritis. Understand the principles of treatment—medical and surgical.

Scleroderma and Polymyositis Describe the role of cytokines, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and lymphocytes

in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. List the major clinical and laboratory features of scleroderma. Describe the management of scleroderma. Understand the clinical associations and significance of Raynaud's

phenomenon. Identify the different subsets of inflammatory myositis. Describe the diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in myositis. Describe the treatment of myositis and its complications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Learn the clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Understand the impact of this disease on patients. Recognize the different categories of medications which are used to treat RA. Understand the mechanism of action of some of the new therapies, and gain

insight into the development of future therapies.

Crystalline Arthritis Recognize 3 different categories of crystal-induced arthritis. Understand the several clinical presentations of gout and CPPD. Understand the strategy of treating gout. Understand how crystal formation produces joint inflammation. Understand the metabolic pathway of uric acid and its role in the

pathophysiology of gout.

Juvenile RA Be familiar with the various clinical presentations of JRA. Describe the nomenclature variations of JRA. Describe the usual pattern(s) of joint involvement. Describe the complications of JRA. Distinguish the prognosis and treatment options of JRA from adult RA. 6. Be

familiar with a differential diagnoses for JRA. List treatment strategies for this group of diseases.