Environmental Triggers for Rheumatic Disease: From “Why Did I Get This?” to “How Can We Prevent This?”

Receiving the news of a new diagnosis of rheumatic disease can be overwhelming to patients. After discussing the natural history, treatment options, and initial treatment plan during such a clinic visit, many of us providers ask, “What questions do you have?” Routinely, it is not a clarifying question about the diagnosis or treatment plan, but rather the question, “Why did I get this?,” the patient asks. Unfortunately, this question that is simple to ask is impossible to answer. We often respond by discussing the her itability of rheumatic diseases, but the majority of rheumatic disease risk is not related to genetics.
Source: Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America - Category: Rheumatology Authors: Tags: Preface Source Type: research