[Psychosomatic aspects of rheumatic diseases]

The spectrum of rheumatic diseases includes syndromes characterized solely by musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. Indeed, muskuloskeletal pain and dysfunction are experienced by almost everyone in the course of a lifetime. The rheumatic syndromes are diverse and often of unclear etiology. For many years, psychosomatic theories have been advanced as an attempt at explanation, especially in the case of chronic polyarthritis. This article discusses the meaning of risk factors viewed as relevant to the course of back pain syndromes in particular. Therapeutic and rehabilitative-psychological interventions for comprehensive treatment of chronic rheumatic pain-patients are presented, and the necessity for a well-coordinated psychosomatic-interdisciplinary approach is emphasized.