Dermatológia pre prax 3/2012

Skin and rheumatic diseases

The skin may be affected by a number of rheumatic diseases and its involvement in the pathophysiology often reflects the ongoing systemic process. Therefore, the same effort and accuracy should be given to its assessment as to the examination of joints and musculoskeletal system. Diagnosis of autoimmune disease of connective tissues is based on recognizing of symptoms. The skin is the most accessible organ and often provides valuable diagnostic clues that may lead to a specific diagnosis or may occasionally mislead the physician. Pattern recognition of skin lesions is based upon the assessment of type, configuration, development and distribution of the lesions. Selected laboratory techniques may further assist diagnosis. This chapter focuses on cutaneous changes occurring most often in patients with rheumatic complaints.

Keywords: skin problems, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren‘s syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, necrotizing vasculitis, Kawasaki disease, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, systemic scleroderma, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Still‘s disease).