Rheumatism League

The German Rheumatism League is a non-profit association, which is divided into local units. It has set itself the goal of being a contact point and counseling center for those affected. It is important in this context to take away the uncertainty for the patients, which often arises during the initial diagnosis of rheumatism.

The Rheumatism League has well-founded collections of information about the disease and makes this information available to those affected. The Rheumaliga also conducts individual consultations with patients and offers courses and group discussions in which those affected can exchange information. In addition to the well-known information on rheumatism, the latest scientific findings on the subject of rheumatism are always brought together by the League.

There the information and data are processed and made accessible to affected and interested people in the form of information materials and internet dossiers. Beside the German high pressure league the rheumatism league is one of the best organized self-help federations in Germany. The league was founded in 1970 and now has almost 290,000 members. The league is supported and promoted by physicians, patients and also by voluntary and full-time employees.

The most important diseases at a glance

Bekhterev’s disease (synonym: ankylosing spondylitis) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases. It usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 40 and is associated with a family history of genetic disposition. Men are affected twice as often as women.

Chronic inflammatory changes in the area of the spine are triggered by previously unknown causes, which then begin to stiffen. The inflammatory changes in ankylosing spondylitis are mainly found in the spinal column and the sacroiliac joints (ISG joints). The inflammation of the sacroiliac joints is medically known as sacroiliitis.

In 20-50% of patients, other joints (e.g. hip joint and knee joint) are also affected in the course of the disease. In the laboratory, autoantibodies are elevated, and the patients complain of severe back pain and restricted mobility. The X-ray image shows a spinal column that looks like a bamboo stick.

The disease cannot be cured, but it can be stopped. Regular physiotherapeutic exercises should be performed to stop the increasing stiffening of the spine. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac are used, as well as cortisone (only for a limited period of time, if possible only in acute phases).

The most frequent inflammatory joint disease belonging to the rheumatic form (rheumatism) is the so-called rheumatoid arthritis or chronic polyarthritis.It is a systemic inflammatory disease, i.e. affecting the entire body, usually progressive, which affects the organs (joints, tendon sheaths, bursae) lined by a so-called synovialis. In the course of the disease, joints and tendons are destroyed, which leads to deviations in form and axis as well as restrictions in movement. The course of the disease varies greatly; in rare cases, organs outside the musculoskeletal system (eyes, skin, vessels, lungs, heart, kidney or gastrointestinal tract) are also affected.

You can read more information about this here: Uveitis (eye disease with rheumatism) Approximately 1% of the population suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Women are three times more frequently affected than men. Men usually fall ill between the ages of 45 and 65, women between the ages of 25 and 35 or after the age of 50.

You can read more information on this topic here: rheumatoid arthritisThe term primarily chronic polyarthritis or PCP is now an outdated term for rheumatoid arthritis. It essentially describes the diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis that are still valid today. Giant cell arthritis, which is also called temporal arteritis or Horton’s disease, is one of the inflammatory diseases of the vessels.

Only the aorta and arteries are affected, but not veins or capillaries. (Hence the name arteriitis = inflammation of the arteries. )There are two forms: You can read more information on this topic here: Giant Cell Arteritis

The classic form of giant cell arteritis is an inflammation of the temporal artery running outside the head.
The other form of giant cell lateritis preferentially attacks the aorta and its large branches. Typically, the entire carotid artery from the collarbone region into the head is involved in the inflammatory process, along with the vessels that come off. In rare cases, leg arteries or arteries of the viscera may also be affected.