Rheumatology Clinical Trials

In recent years rheumatology clinical trials have provided a growing understanding of some of the genetic causes of diseases such as arthritis, Fibromyalgia, gout, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, restless leg syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. This understanding leads to better diagnosis and treatments of rheumatology disorders. Future treatments may even include gene therapy.

Rheumatology clinical trials are also testing epidemiological factors and monoclonal antibody therapies. Advancements due to the success in rheumatology clinical trials allow sufferers to lead a normal and productive life. There are over 200 different types of rheumatology diseases and the field also covers soft tissue problems due to sports injuries. If you have been diagnosed with a condition that affects your joints, muscles or bones you may qualify to participate in a rheumatology clinical trial.

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is an internal medicine sub-specialty that deals with the musculoskeletal system including joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. Doctors who study rheumatology are known as rheumatologists, and rheumatism is a general term that describes the ailments that are studied. They treat and diagnose conditions such as arthritis, Fibromyalgia, gout, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, restless leg syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

These can be very painful disorders. Rheumatologists use physical exams, lab tests, cytopathology, chemical pathology and x-rays to diagnose their patients. Treatment generally involves medications (i.e. analgesics and steroids) and physical therapy. Osteoimmunology is an emerging field within rheumatology that specifically studies the interactions between the immune system, joints and bones.