Quiz: Rheumatology

Nov 2, 2015

Though best known for treating rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatologists are specialists that treat a number of other rheumatic diseases that affect the joints and connective tissues. Rheumatic diseases are chronic, so rheumatologists aim to manage the symptoms over time, preventing further damage, and helping their patients live the best quality of life. How much do you know about what a rheumatologist does?

1. How many diseases involving the joints and connective tissues do rheumatologists treat?1

50
25
75
More than 100
Rheumatologists treat over 100 diseases that affect the joints and connective tissues. Rheumatic diseases have different signs and symptoms, and it’s a rheumatologist’s job to help diagnose and treat every single one.

2. Which of the following do rheumatologists assess?2

Signs and symptoms of rheumatic disease
Joint disorders
Treatment options
All of the above
Rheumatologists will combine the results of many assessments to determine the source of a patient’s symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan. Treatment recommendations may include medications, referral to physical therapy, referral to other specialists, or joint/tendon injections.

3. How many Americans have some sort of rheumatic disease?1

More than 10 million
More than 25 million
More than 46 million
More than 82 million
Rheumatic diseases affect an estimated 46 million people in the United States of all races and ages, including an estimated 294,000 children.

4. Which of the following is NOT a disease a rheumatologist would treat?1

Fibromyalgia
Gout
Cystic fibrosis
Tendinitis
Some other rheumatic diseases are bursitis, polymyalgia rheumatic, polymyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

5. For which of the following rheumatic diseases does a rheumatologist look for the presence of a virus or bacteria?1

Lupus
Osteoarthritis
Infectious arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Parvovirus arthritis and gonococcal arthritis are examples of infectious arthritis, as is the arthritis that occurs with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection following the bite of certain infected ticks.

6. Which of the following rheumatic diseases affects the skin?1

Polymyalgia rheumatica
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Bursitis
Fibromyalgia
Also known as systemic sclerosis, scleroderma is a condition in which an excessive production of collagen (a fiber-like protein) leads to thickening of and damage to the skin, blood vessels, joints, and sometimes internal organs such as the lungs and kidneys.

7. What information might a rheumatologist use to diagnose a patient?2

Radiographic testing (X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI)
Physical exam
All of the above
Family medical history
Some rheumatic diseases can be difficult to diagnose and may require several visits for the rheumatologist to fully understand the underlying process. During follow-up appointments, rheumatologists may treat reoccurring conditions or talk with patients about medications, coping mechanisms, techniques for preventing disability or regaining function, and ways to improve their quality of life.

8. Which of the following is the main symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?3

Numbness of the fingers
Pelvic pain
Exposure of the jaw bone
Skin rash
Given this widespread familiarity, people often attribute any discomfort or pain in the hand or wrist to carpal tunnel syndrome. However, there are many other conditions which can cause similar complaints, so it is important to know the difference.

9. Which rheumatic disease is the most common type of arthritis?1

Ankylosing spondylitis
Polymyositis
Osteoarthritis
Sjogren's syndrome
Osteoarthritis damages both the cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint and the underlying bone. It can also cause joint pain and stiffness.

10. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of which system?1

Circulatory system
Nervous system
Muscular system
Immune system
Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of the joint, called the “synovium,” resulting in pain and swelling, and loss of function in the joints. The most commonly affected joints are those in the hands and feet.

References

1 (2014). Arthritis and rheumatic diseases. NIH. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic.pdf

2 (2015). What is a Rheumatologist? The American College of Rheumatology. Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/What_is_a_Rheumatologist_/

3 (2013). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The American College of Rheumatology. Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome

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