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WASHINGTON, D.C.—“Rheumatic manifestations are [often] the initial presentation of a systemic disease, but they can [also] occur during the course of the disorder,” said Joseph Markenson, MD, speaking in the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting talk, Rheumatic Manifestations of Endocrine Disease, during the ACR Review Course.
Dr. Markenson is professor of clinical medicine and a rheumatologist at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. He gave an overview of what can be a tricky intermingling—rheumatic manifestations of endocrine disease—and also offered tips on what to look for so patients can get the treatment they need. Residents at Dr. Markenson’s college are taught that when someone comes in with swollen joints, they shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that it’s gout or another rheumatic disorder at work, but they should think about the possibility of other diseases in internal medicine that can present with arthritic manifestations.
“Think of all the diseases that are not in our field, so you don’t miss anything,” he cautioned attendees.