[Rheumatologists' current tasks]

The main tasks for contemporary rheumatology include finding methods for the early identification of patients with inflammatory arthropathy, the use and development of prognostic indicators of the degree of aggressiveness required in treatment, and well structured and comprehensive follow-up treatment modalities administered in new ways and of the many new modalities that are under development. Success in these respects will entail close liaison with primary care and with other related disciplines. Dynamic developments are to be expected concerning the introduction of new generations of immunoregulatory agents.