ARTICULAR SYNDROME IN THE PRACTICE OF A RHEUMATOLOGIST

Abstract

Articular syndrome is a clinical set of symptoms, expressed by joint pain, morning stiffness, joint deformity, mobility restriction, and pathological changes in the ligaments. The most important diagnosis components for the disease underlying the patient’sexisting articular syndrome are: a properly collected anamnesis, a medical examination, a complex of laboratory tests and radiation imaging methods. The article aims at helping the doctor in the early diagnosis of joint disease underlying the patient’s existing articular syndrome. The article also discusses the main elements of the articular syndrome, highlights the characteristic symptoms and key manifestations of common rheumatic diseases, based on the articular syndrome, and presents modern methods forthe diagnosis of this syndrome. Timely assessment of the articular syndrome contributes to the formation of an appropriate program comprising laboratory and instrumental research methods for patients, allows to suspect rheumatic disease at an earlier stage and promptly refer patients to a rheumatologist. In turn, timely diagnosis of rheumatic disease and early indication of basic therapy by a rheumatologist to patients with articular syndrome will improve the life quality and prognosis of such patients.