Osteoarthritis as a Chronic Disease: Maximizing Management in Primary Care. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious disease characterized by chronic arthropathy, disruption of joint cartilage, osteophyte formation, and synovial fluid abnormalities. OA affects an estimated 27 million Americans, making it the most common of more than 100 types of arthritis. The prevalence of OA increases with age, and currently 34% of individuals older than 65 years have OA. Until recently, most OA in younger patients has been attributable to joint trauma.

Gout: Why, Who, and When to Treat. Gout is not a headline-grabbing disease. People tend to think of it as something that only happens to hard-drinking portly old men in Dickens novels. They may be surprised to learn that the prevalence of gout is on the rise among Americans - particularly postmenopausal women - and that the increase is expected to continue steadily over the next decade.

Current Therapeutic Considerations in Osteoarthritis Management.The prevalence of osteoarthritis in the United States has risen rapidly in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue as the elderly population grows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that OA affected approximately 27 million Americans in 2005, which was an increase from the 21 million reported in 1990. The rates were higher in women than in men, especially among those older than 50 years of age.

Osteoarthritis and the Continuum of Care. Review the multifactorial musculoskeletal process and biomechanical factors of the changes in structure and function of synovial joints and other risk factors associated with osteoarthritis.

CASE: 57-Year-Old Woman With Joint Pain and Swelling. “I hate getting old! Over the past few days, my foot hurt so bad that I had to cancel my aerobics class …”

Primary Care Clinicians Play an Important Role in the Early Diagnosis of Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can lead to significant disability and organ damage. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of this complex condition can help primary care clinicians play a key role in early diagnosis and referral while they provide ongoing and supportive care.

Front-line Issues in the Management of Gout. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis, with metabolic sequelae, triggered by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals within the joints and tissues. This can lead to tophus formation in and around the joints and uric acid urolithiasis, and is associated with hyperuricemia. The deposition of the MSU crystals acts as a catalyst for the inflammatory reaction that is recognized as acute gout.