A four or five-year cycle between editions has become standard for textbooks, so this edition is timely. Many useful changes have been made since the first edition of this textbook was published in 1993. Rheumatology is a relatively young field with a small number of specialists, even though the frequency of rheumatic disorders is fairly high. Thus, a user-friendly textbook that covers the facts and presents the accepted standards of care can be very valuable to a wide audience, and this edition fills that role magnificently.
The first volume covers the clinical presentation of rheumatic diseases in different age-groups. Regional syndromes and involvement of nonarticular systems, such as the pulmonary system, are described in some depth. Other chapters in this volume are devoted to pathophysiology, inflammation, and abnormal findings on laboratory tests.
The second volume contains chapters on all areas of clinical rheumatology, including standard topics such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. These chapters are well written and provide practical information. A unique feature of this volume is that, for each disease, there is a corresponding chapter on the same entity in children. Thus, juvenile arthritis is covered in much more detail than it is in typical rheumatology textbooks. This is a very helpful component of the textbook.
All of the authors are well known in their respective areas of study, and the editors have done an excellent job of ensuring that the chapters have appropriate depth and are clinically relevant. A frequent drawback of books of this size is their inability to be current. This book is no exception, with most chapters having references dating back to 1995 and 1996.
This very well written textbook covers the spectrum of rheumatology, with enough depth to be useful to all students of rheumatic diseases. It will be especially useful to medical students, residents, practicing internists, rheumatologists, and orthopaedists, including those who have an interest in juvenile patients.
Harvinder S. Luthra, M.D.
Division of Rheumatology Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota