[A panorama of rheumatic diseases]

The developments in our health care system mean that the significance of chronic, cost-intensive diseases is continually increasing in terms of diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Under this aspect, rheumatic diseases may be regarded as prime examples in that they generate expenditure in many areas of both social insurance and private insurance. Although many of the disorders classified as rheumatic diseases manifest themselves clinically in the form of complaints in the region of the skeletal system, it should not be forgotten that they are actually systemic disorders, i.e. they have immunological or metabolic causes. This aspect plays a significant role with regard to the possibility of long-term prognosis and hence with regard to life expectancy as well. It also exerts a major influence on the selection of therapeutic concepts which are hoped to slow down the progress of a disease or stop it altogether. Precise inquiries, careful diagnosis, patient-specific therapy, and not least growing health consciousness should be capable of exerting a positive influence on the course of even relatively severe rheumatic conditions. The consequences will be felt to a corresponding degree by the private insurers too.