Assessment and Management of the Rheumatological Patient in the Critical Care Unit

Abstract

Musculoskeletal diseases are common and may result in significant morbidity and mortality especially in the context of the multisystem autoimmune rheumatic ­disorders. Patients with rheumatological disorders present acutely to emergency rooms, and the cause of the sudden deterioration may be due to complications of the underlying disorder, sepsis, or an iatrogenic effect resulting from an acute adverse event from therapy. Given the complexity of these patients, it is not surprising that outcome can be poor with in-hospital mortality rates of 40%. This introductory chapter is aimed at the admitting physician presented with an acutely ill patient with a rheumatological disorder who is deteriorating rapidly and needs admission to a critical care unit.