Definition

Rheumatic symptoms (or rheumatism) are distinguished by the following seven characteristics: (1) pain or discomfort, usually perceived in the vicinity of one or more joints (including the spine); (2) pain on motion of the affected area(s); (3) soreness (to the touch) of the affected region(s); (4) stiffness of the affected part(s), especially after a period of immobility; (5) symptomatic improvement after mild exercise, but worsening after vigorous exercise; (6) symptomatic worsening in response to climatic factors, especially falling barometric pressure and rising humidity; and (7) symptomatic improvement in response to warming the affected area(s). Not all rheumatic pain syndromes have all seven characteristics, but most will at least have the first four.

Technique

A history of rheumatism is the foundation for all rheumatic disease histories; it will at least classify the symptom complex and, fully explored, may lead to a precise diagnosis. The basic rheumatic history does not differ fundamentally from other medical histories, and it can be approached according to the seven dimensions of a symptom outlined by Morgan and Engel (1969).

Localization of the Pain

Rheumatic pain is almost always localized (see Tables 159.1 and 159.2 for specific syndromes). It may be localized to one region of the body (e.g., one shoulder girdle) or to a single structure at multiple sites (e.g., the peripheral joints). From the viewpoint of specific diagnosis, the most important aspect of the musculoskeletal history is the process of localizing the symptoms. This is best done by asking the patient to "show me exactly where it hurts." When an unusually large or ill-defined area is indicated by the patient, it is helpful to inquire, "Where does the pain seem to center?" At times the physician might help the hesitant patient by lightly palpating the region in question. Once the symptoms are adequately localized, patterns of radiation should be determined. Be certain that all areas of discomfort have been reported.

Table 159.1

Rheumatic Pain Syndromes.

Table 159.2

An Abbreviated Classification of Arthritis.

Associated Clinical Manifestations

The final dimension of the rheumatic pain symptom complex is its associated manifestations. These are characteristically absent when the problem is regional, but characteristically protean for many of the diseases associated with polyarthralgia. For the latter group of disorders, some of the most common and important associated manifestations are listed in Table 159.3. For all patients with rheumatic symptoms, however, open-ended questions should address this dimension. "Would you feel well or normal if the pain and stiffness would go away?" is useful for this purpose.

Table 159.3

Selected Symptomatic Extraarticular Features of the Connective Tissue Diseases and the Spondyloarthropathies.

Basic Science

Causes of the rheumatic pain syndromes are listed in Table 159.1. They are diverse in nature, but most of the nonarticular disorders seem to be induced by "wear and tear" or sustained use of the part in question. Few scientific studies have inquired into the origins of tendinitis, bursitis, enthesopathies, and myofascial pain, but most clinical observations suggest an important role for repetitive motion or sustained muscle contraction. Repetitive motion can fray a tendon as it moves over a bony prominence and can produce sufficient damage to result in an inflammatory focus. Bursae, which occur at sites of friction, may be irritated in a similar fashion. Sustained muscle contraction may result in ischemic foci in a muscle belly or near its attachment, resulting in tender areas called myofascial trigger points. A number of observations suggest that inflammation of an enthesis can result from local ischemia due to sustained contraction of its muscle. Rheumatic pain syndromes can be induced or precipitated by certain patterns of musculoskeletal usage.

The pathogenesis of each of the rheumatic pain syndromes is addressed briefly in Table 159.1. There is no scientific evidence to associate myofascial pain with an inflammatory response; otherwise an acute or chronic inflammatory process plays an important pathogenetic role in the remainder. Inflammation, whether initiated by known or unknown causes, is the primary event in all the arthropathies except osteoarthritis. Even in osteoarthritis there is a secondary inflammatory process that is important in the production of many of its symptoms. Especially in the case of inflamed synovial structures (joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths), the patient is likely to be aware of the inflammatory process. Consequently, it may be possible to obtain a history of local swelling, warmth and redness, as well as pain and tenderness.

Clinical Significance

The clinical significance of rheumatism traverses a spectrum from trivial or expected discomfort to serious, disabling, and life-threatening disease. Most patients who seek medical attention for local or regional nonarticular rheumatic symptoms have a benign and self-limited disorder, whereas a significant number, perhaps the majority, who see a physician for generalized joint symptoms have a potentially serious and disabling disease.

References

1. American Rheumatism Association. Dictionary of the rheumatic diseases, vol. 1. New York: Contact Associates International, 1982.
2. Kelley WN, Harris ED Jr, Ruddy S, et al., eds. Textbook of rheumatology, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1989;Chaps. 24. 25.
3. McCarty DJ, ed. Arthritis and allied conditions. A textbook of rheumatology, 11th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1989;55–68.
4. Morgan WL Jr., Engel GL. The clinical approach to the patient. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1969.
5. Polley HF, Hunder GG. Rheumatologic interviewing and physical examination of the joints. 2d ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1978.