The Heart in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, provides an overview on our current understanding of major complications relating to the heart and autoimmune diseases. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations of these important comortbidities. Mortality in autoimmune diseases, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, has increased when compared with the general population. This excess mortality is largely due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-particularly those of atherosclerotic origin, such as ischemic heart disease-and is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from cardiology, to internal medicine, and from rheumatologists to orthopedics.

Presents an impressive body of well ordered information on the topic of cardiovascular diseases and their relationship to autoimmune illness Highlights key references Summarizes the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physician-scientists who are actively involved in the field of cardiovascular disease and systemic autoimmunity

The Lung in Autoimmune Diseases, Volume Seventeen identifies and describes the role of the lung in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. From disease patterns, prognosis and risks to treatment, this book provides a comprehensive approach for the role of the lung in autoimmune diseases and the influence of autoimmune disease on the lung's functionality. In recent years, there is increasing knowledge in the field, including lung infection in early disease stages, mechanisms involved in lung damage, and new treatments. Recognition of lung involvement and implementation of some specific therapies is an important issue for clinicians dealing with systemic autoimmune diseases. Provides a comprehensive review of the different patterns of pulmonary involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases Describes new, targeted therapies for the treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases, including anti-fibrotics, biologics and vasodilators Gives insights on the prognosis of patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases Depicts better definitions of types of lung involvement in patients with an underlying systemic autoimmune disease

Inflammatory Arthritis Beyond the Joints, Volume 18 in Elsevier’s Handbook for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases series, provides an extensive review of the most recent research on various comorbidities and EAMs associated with inflammatory arthritis. The book emphasizes early detection, which is crucial for improving patient quality of life and survivability outcomes, as many adults with inflammatory arthritis also suffer from other chronic conditions. The book's chapters cover comorbidities and EAMs in both early and late disease stages.They delve into the mechanisms behind the development of these conditions and examine the impact of new treatment strategies specific to inflammatory arthritis and related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, metabolic bone disease, infection, neoplasia, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney issues, mental health conditions, and neurological diseases. This book serves as a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians focused on inflammatory arthritis and its associated conditions.

Includes a comprehensive review of different comorbidities and extra-articular/extramusculoskeletal manifestations in inflammatory arthritisDiscusses the impact of comorbidities and other manifestations on outcomes in inflammatory arthritisHighlights current and new targeted therapies for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis

This first volume represents the state-of-the-art in the field of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Systemic autoimmune diseases comprise a family of conditions that share common pathogenetic mechanisms as well as a multi-organ involvement including the heart. This volume has been subdivided into three parts. In the first part, the immune mechanisms involved in cardiac damage have been considered. The role of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines in driving an autoimmune response to cardiac self-tissues has been analysed. Moreover, the prevalence, the clinical meaning and the hypothetical pathogenicity of a broad spectrum of organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies have been discussed in detail. In the second part of the volume, the role of humoral and innate immunity in promoting the development of atherosclerotic plaque has been extensively reviewed, along with the newly discovered anti-inflammatory properties of statins. These two parts of the volume deal with exciting aspects of this topic, suggesting a very close connection between heart diseases and immunology. Finally, in the third part, the cardiac manifestations observed in the major systemic autoimmune conditions have been comprehensively examined.This book yields an impressive body of well ordered information, highlighting key references and summarising the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physician-scientists actively involved in the field of cardiovascular disease and systemic autoimmunity.

Systemic autoimmune diseases can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems in a myriad of ways and through a heterogeneous number of mechanisms leading to many different clinical manifestations. As a result, neurological complications of these disorders can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in the diagnosis, laboratory investigations, and management of these conditions has placed an increasing burden on the practicing clinician to correctly assess and treat these patients.This volume of the Handbook of the Systemic Autoimmune Diseases will help the clinician and researcher better understand the current concepts of nervous system involvement from systemic autoimmune disorders, recognize current approaches to diagnosis and treatment, current controversies, and areas that need significant research efforts. It is believed that providing this approach in a single volume will facilitate its use as a frequent resource for all those caring for or investigating these patients and their diseases.Each chapter follows a consistent outline to provide the reader with important and useful information in an easy-to-navigate manner and is also liberally referenced to provide more primary source material for further consideration. The standardized approach to each chapter will allow the reader to be able to compare and contrast more efficiently the neurological complications of the autoimmune diseases discussed.

In this book is found the information essential to diagnosing, managing and treating the lung complications of connective tissue diseases. This is a notoriously difficult area, which continues to puzzle clinicians, despite the fact that these disorders are increasingly frequent (as a result of longer survival in connective tissue disease). In separate chapters, the major connective tissue diseases are reviewed, with detailed discussion of a variety of lung abnormalities, including pleural disease, parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary vascular disease. There are also invaluable overviews of lung histological and CT appearances in these disorders, and a deeply insightful chapter on drug-induced lung disease in connective tissue disease. The emphasis in this book is on accuracy of evaluation and the construction of a logical management plan, based on disease severity and intrinsic progressiveness.

This volume of the Handbook of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases series represents a medical collaboration focusing primarily on female aspects of rheumatic diseases. This collaboration recognizes the need to understand and optimally manage the care of women with autoimmune conditions that may affect their reproduction and hormonal status. This handbook will prove useful to clinicians and researchers alike. It covers practical points, ranging from which anti-rheumatic medications are safe in pregnancy to how to counsel women with scleroderma contemplating pregnancy.* Authors share an academic interest in the unique relationship between being a woman and having an autoimmune disease* Touches on controversial topics, such as the mechanism of antiphospholipid-related fetal loss and whether or not non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be used in pregnancy* Includes critical and balanced reviews of the controversial association between autoimmune disease and female infertility

This book represents the state-of-the-art in the field of skin and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It covers systematically a growing and multifaceted topic which is of great importance in the clinical practice. It also serves as a sharp educational tool as each chapter provides summaries and specific highlights to key references cited into the text. The pathophysiological link between skin involvement and autoimmunity has been explained in detail, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.This book yields an impressive body of well ordered information which summarizes the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physicians and scientists actively involved in the field of skin immunology and systemic autoimmunity.* Written by a respected panel of distinguished physician-scientists actively involved in the field of skin immunology and systemic autoimmunity* Box summaries at the end of each chapter highlight important topics * Up-to-date basic knowledge as well as modern approach to diagnosis and therapy

Many of the systemic autoimmune diseases seen in children are different from those seen in adults making them a special problem for physicians and scientists who care for the affected children and study their diseases. Benefiting both pediatric and adult rheumatologists, as well as physicians from other specialties, this volume covers the latest advances in pathogenesis and clinical management of common conditions seen in pediatric rheumatology practices.

This volume brings together an international group of clinicians and clinical scientists to contribute to a state-of the-art review of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, methods of clinical assessment, classification and diagnosis of renal disease, combined with a detailed overview of treatment strategies. An essential reference source for all those involved with the care of patients with renal involvement in systemic autoimmune disease, and for those contributing to research into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in these disorders.

The Digestive System in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases represents the state-of-the-art in the field of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases.The volume consists of an introductory chapter on imaging techniques in digestive diseases, followed by eight chapters on digestive manifestations in specific systemic autoimmune diseases. The final five chapters deal with digestive diseases with an autoimmune pathogenesis and systemic manifestations.International in scope, the table of contents reads like a Who's who in clinical research on systemic autoimmune diseases. More than 20 contributors from the European Union, the United States, Mexico and South Africa share their knowledge in this detailed volume.One book of leading international clinical and scientific experts on autoimmune and digestive diseasesA practical guide to the identification, diagnosis and treatment of digestive involvement in patients with autoimmune diseases that will be useful for all medical specialtiesSeveral diseases and conditions not included in other text books are included, some of which are of recent emergenceEach chapter is designed to serve as a “Guide to Clinical Practice” for each disease

This book is one of the first to evaluate the role of Steroids in autoimmune rheumatic diseases from the basic mechanisms to the clinical involvements and focuses on the importance of steroidal hormones in the pathogenesis and therapeutic management of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In particular, the chapters analyze the mechanisms of action and the involvement of adrenal steroids (glucocorticoids) in the neuroendocrine immune system, including effects on the elderly. The perturbations of the HPA axis as a source of altered steroidal synthesis will be discussed and related to some interesting pathological conditions that commonly complicate the autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as psychosis or fibromyalgia. Concerning the role of gonadal steroids (sex hormones), several chapters will discuss clinical and epidemiological evidences of their role, as well as their effects as risk factors in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including a section on pediatrics. The premier issue evaluating the role of steroids in autoimmune rheumatic diseases from the basic mechanisms to the clinical involvements Documents the latest research and indicate recent and coming new therapeutic-biological approaches to the therapy The book will present therapeutic perspectives concerning the new glucocorticoids, and the effects of biological drugs on their synthesis

Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition provides an overview of our current understanding of this major disease. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations in both the thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations of this important disease.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes abnormal blood clots. It is now recognized as a major cause of common conditions, including stroke, heart attack, miscarriage, epilepsy, and memory loss, and as such is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from obstetrics to cardiology, and from psychiatry to orthopedics.

Brings the reader up-to-date and allows easy access to individual topics in one place Written by a respected panel of distinguished physicians/scientists actively involved in the field of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Includes box summaries at the end of each chapter that highlight important topics Gives up-to-date, basic knowledge and a modern approach to diagnosis and therapy Provides a comprehensive review of this major disease Includes information on treatment options available

The Digestive System in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, represents the state-of-the-art in the field of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. This volume consists of an introductory chapter on imaging techniques in digestive diseases, followed by eight chapters on digestive manifestations in specific systemic autoimmune diseases. The final five chapters deal with digestive diseases with an autoimmune pathogenesis and systemic manifestations. International in scope, the table of contents reads like a Who's who in clinical research on systemic autoimmune diseases. More than 20 contributors from the European Union, the United States, Mexico, and South Africa share their knowledge in this detailed volume. The book provides an overview of our current understanding of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases.

Completely updated, including five new chapters Presents up-to-date information, giving the reader easy access to individual topics in one place Written by leading international clinical and scientific experts on autoimmune and digestive diseases Provides a practical guide to the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive involvement in patients with autoimmune diseases that will be useful for all medical specialties Includes several diseases and conditions not included in other texts, some of which have only recently emerged Designed to serve as a guide to clinical practice

Surgery in Systemic Autoimmune Disease, Volume 15, describes the state-of-the-art of the use of surgery in treating the most common systemic autoimmune diseases (SADS). The volume consists of an introductory chapter concerning the impact of surgery on SADs, follow by eight chapters describing the use of surgery in the treatment of specific diseases in various areas (cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, neurology. etc.) and the possible difficulties and complications. The final five chapters deal with the possible complications arising during the course of biological and non-biological treatment, also providing recommendation concerning their management.

International in scope, the list of more than 20 contributors from Europa and America reads like a who's who of clinical researchers in the field.

Written by leading international clinical/surgical and scientific experts on surgical problems in SADs Provides a practical guide to the safer use of surgery in patients with autoimmune diseases Includes a number of problems and recommendations that cannot be found in other books Designed as a 'guide to clinical practice' for surgical interventions required by patients with SADs Gives a comprehensive review of the available surgical options

The Heart in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, provides an overview on our current understanding of major complications relating to the heart and autoimmune diseases. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations of these important comortbidities. Mortality in autoimmune diseases, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, has increased when compared with the general population. This excess mortality is largely due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-particularly those of atherosclerotic origin, such as ischemic heart disease-and is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from cardiology, to internal medicine, and from rheumatologists to orthopedics.

Presents an impressive body of well ordered information on the topic of cardiovascular diseases and their relationship to autoimmune illness Highlights key references Summarizes the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physician-scientists who are actively involved in the field of cardiovascular disease and systemic autoimmunity

The Lung in Autoimmune Diseases, Volume Seventeen identifies and describes the role of the lung in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. From disease patterns, prognosis and risks to treatment, this book provides a comprehensive approach for the role of the lung in autoimmune diseases and the influence of autoimmune disease on the lung's functionality. In recent years, there is increasing knowledge in the field, including lung infection in early disease stages, mechanisms involved in lung damage, and new treatments. Recognition of lung involvement and implementation of some specific therapies is an important issue for clinicians dealing with systemic autoimmune diseases. Provides a comprehensive review of the different patterns of pulmonary involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases Describes new, targeted therapies for the treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases, including anti-fibrotics, biologics and vasodilators Gives insights on the prognosis of patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases Depicts better definitions of types of lung involvement in patients with an underlying systemic autoimmune disease

Inflammatory Arthritis Beyond the Joints, Volume 18 in Elsevier’s Handbook for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases series, provides an extensive review of the most recent research on various comorbidities and EAMs associated with inflammatory arthritis. The book emphasizes early detection, which is crucial for improving patient quality of life and survivability outcomes, as many adults with inflammatory arthritis also suffer from other chronic conditions. The book's chapters cover comorbidities and EAMs in both early and late disease stages.They delve into the mechanisms behind the development of these conditions and examine the impact of new treatment strategies specific to inflammatory arthritis and related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, metabolic bone disease, infection, neoplasia, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney issues, mental health conditions, and neurological diseases. This book serves as a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians focused on inflammatory arthritis and its associated conditions.

Includes a comprehensive review of different comorbidities and extra-articular/extramusculoskeletal manifestations in inflammatory arthritisDiscusses the impact of comorbidities and other manifestations on outcomes in inflammatory arthritisHighlights current and new targeted therapies for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis

This first volume represents the state-of-the-art in the field of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Systemic autoimmune diseases comprise a family of conditions that share common pathogenetic mechanisms as well as a multi-organ involvement including the heart. This volume has been subdivided into three parts. In the first part, the immune mechanisms involved in cardiac damage have been considered. The role of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines in driving an autoimmune response to cardiac self-tissues has been analysed. Moreover, the prevalence, the clinical meaning and the hypothetical pathogenicity of a broad spectrum of organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies have been discussed in detail. In the second part of the volume, the role of humoral and innate immunity in promoting the development of atherosclerotic plaque has been extensively reviewed, along with the newly discovered anti-inflammatory properties of statins. These two parts of the volume deal with exciting aspects of this topic, suggesting a very close connection between heart diseases and immunology. Finally, in the third part, the cardiac manifestations observed in the major systemic autoimmune conditions have been comprehensively examined.This book yields an impressive body of well ordered information, highlighting key references and summarising the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physician-scientists actively involved in the field of cardiovascular disease and systemic autoimmunity.

Systemic autoimmune diseases can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems in a myriad of ways and through a heterogeneous number of mechanisms leading to many different clinical manifestations. As a result, neurological complications of these disorders can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in the diagnosis, laboratory investigations, and management of these conditions has placed an increasing burden on the practicing clinician to correctly assess and treat these patients.This volume of the Handbook of the Systemic Autoimmune Diseases will help the clinician and researcher better understand the current concepts of nervous system involvement from systemic autoimmune disorders, recognize current approaches to diagnosis and treatment, current controversies, and areas that need significant research efforts. It is believed that providing this approach in a single volume will facilitate its use as a frequent resource for all those caring for or investigating these patients and their diseases.Each chapter follows a consistent outline to provide the reader with important and useful information in an easy-to-navigate manner and is also liberally referenced to provide more primary source material for further consideration. The standardized approach to each chapter will allow the reader to be able to compare and contrast more efficiently the neurological complications of the autoimmune diseases discussed.

In this book is found the information essential to diagnosing, managing and treating the lung complications of connective tissue diseases. This is a notoriously difficult area, which continues to puzzle clinicians, despite the fact that these disorders are increasingly frequent (as a result of longer survival in connective tissue disease). In separate chapters, the major connective tissue diseases are reviewed, with detailed discussion of a variety of lung abnormalities, including pleural disease, parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary vascular disease. There are also invaluable overviews of lung histological and CT appearances in these disorders, and a deeply insightful chapter on drug-induced lung disease in connective tissue disease. The emphasis in this book is on accuracy of evaluation and the construction of a logical management plan, based on disease severity and intrinsic progressiveness.

This volume of the Handbook of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases series represents a medical collaboration focusing primarily on female aspects of rheumatic diseases. This collaboration recognizes the need to understand and optimally manage the care of women with autoimmune conditions that may affect their reproduction and hormonal status. This handbook will prove useful to clinicians and researchers alike. It covers practical points, ranging from which anti-rheumatic medications are safe in pregnancy to how to counsel women with scleroderma contemplating pregnancy.* Authors share an academic interest in the unique relationship between being a woman and having an autoimmune disease* Touches on controversial topics, such as the mechanism of antiphospholipid-related fetal loss and whether or not non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be used in pregnancy* Includes critical and balanced reviews of the controversial association between autoimmune disease and female infertility

This book represents the state-of-the-art in the field of skin and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It covers systematically a growing and multifaceted topic which is of great importance in the clinical practice. It also serves as a sharp educational tool as each chapter provides summaries and specific highlights to key references cited into the text. The pathophysiological link between skin involvement and autoimmunity has been explained in detail, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.This book yields an impressive body of well ordered information which summarizes the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physicians and scientists actively involved in the field of skin immunology and systemic autoimmunity.* Written by a respected panel of distinguished physician-scientists actively involved in the field of skin immunology and systemic autoimmunity* Box summaries at the end of each chapter highlight important topics * Up-to-date basic knowledge as well as modern approach to diagnosis and therapy

Many of the systemic autoimmune diseases seen in children are different from those seen in adults making them a special problem for physicians and scientists who care for the affected children and study their diseases. Benefiting both pediatric and adult rheumatologists, as well as physicians from other specialties, this volume covers the latest advances in pathogenesis and clinical management of common conditions seen in pediatric rheumatology practices.

This volume brings together an international group of clinicians and clinical scientists to contribute to a state-of the-art review of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, methods of clinical assessment, classification and diagnosis of renal disease, combined with a detailed overview of treatment strategies. An essential reference source for all those involved with the care of patients with renal involvement in systemic autoimmune disease, and for those contributing to research into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in these disorders.

The Digestive System in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases represents the state-of-the-art in the field of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases.The volume consists of an introductory chapter on imaging techniques in digestive diseases, followed by eight chapters on digestive manifestations in specific systemic autoimmune diseases. The final five chapters deal with digestive diseases with an autoimmune pathogenesis and systemic manifestations.International in scope, the table of contents reads like a Who's who in clinical research on systemic autoimmune diseases. More than 20 contributors from the European Union, the United States, Mexico and South Africa share their knowledge in this detailed volume.One book of leading international clinical and scientific experts on autoimmune and digestive diseasesA practical guide to the identification, diagnosis and treatment of digestive involvement in patients with autoimmune diseases that will be useful for all medical specialtiesSeveral diseases and conditions not included in other text books are included, some of which are of recent emergenceEach chapter is designed to serve as a “Guide to Clinical Practice” for each disease

This book is one of the first to evaluate the role of Steroids in autoimmune rheumatic diseases from the basic mechanisms to the clinical involvements and focuses on the importance of steroidal hormones in the pathogenesis and therapeutic management of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In particular, the chapters analyze the mechanisms of action and the involvement of adrenal steroids (glucocorticoids) in the neuroendocrine immune system, including effects on the elderly. The perturbations of the HPA axis as a source of altered steroidal synthesis will be discussed and related to some interesting pathological conditions that commonly complicate the autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as psychosis or fibromyalgia. Concerning the role of gonadal steroids (sex hormones), several chapters will discuss clinical and epidemiological evidences of their role, as well as their effects as risk factors in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including a section on pediatrics. The premier issue evaluating the role of steroids in autoimmune rheumatic diseases from the basic mechanisms to the clinical involvements Documents the latest research and indicate recent and coming new therapeutic-biological approaches to the therapy The book will present therapeutic perspectives concerning the new glucocorticoids, and the effects of biological drugs on their synthesis

Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition provides an overview of our current understanding of this major disease. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations in both the thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations of this important disease.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes abnormal blood clots. It is now recognized as a major cause of common conditions, including stroke, heart attack, miscarriage, epilepsy, and memory loss, and as such is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from obstetrics to cardiology, and from psychiatry to orthopedics.

Brings the reader up-to-date and allows easy access to individual topics in one place Written by a respected panel of distinguished physicians/scientists actively involved in the field of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Includes box summaries at the end of each chapter that highlight important topics Gives up-to-date, basic knowledge and a modern approach to diagnosis and therapy Provides a comprehensive review of this major disease Includes information on treatment options available

The Digestive System in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, represents the state-of-the-art in the field of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. This volume consists of an introductory chapter on imaging techniques in digestive diseases, followed by eight chapters on digestive manifestations in specific systemic autoimmune diseases. The final five chapters deal with digestive diseases with an autoimmune pathogenesis and systemic manifestations. International in scope, the table of contents reads like a Who's who in clinical research on systemic autoimmune diseases. More than 20 contributors from the European Union, the United States, Mexico, and South Africa share their knowledge in this detailed volume. The book provides an overview of our current understanding of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases.

Completely updated, including five new chapters Presents up-to-date information, giving the reader easy access to individual topics in one place Written by leading international clinical and scientific experts on autoimmune and digestive diseases Provides a practical guide to the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive involvement in patients with autoimmune diseases that will be useful for all medical specialties Includes several diseases and conditions not included in other texts, some of which have only recently emerged Designed to serve as a guide to clinical practice

Surgery in Systemic Autoimmune Disease, Volume 15, describes the state-of-the-art of the use of surgery in treating the most common systemic autoimmune diseases (SADS). The volume consists of an introductory chapter concerning the impact of surgery on SADs, follow by eight chapters describing the use of surgery in the treatment of specific diseases in various areas (cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, neurology. etc.) and the possible difficulties and complications. The final five chapters deal with the possible complications arising during the course of biological and non-biological treatment, also providing recommendation concerning their management.

International in scope, the list of more than 20 contributors from Europa and America reads like a who's who of clinical researchers in the field.

Written by leading international clinical/surgical and scientific experts on surgical problems in SADs Provides a practical guide to the safer use of surgery in patients with autoimmune diseases Includes a number of problems and recommendations that cannot be found in other books Designed as a 'guide to clinical practice' for surgical interventions required by patients with SADs Gives a comprehensive review of the available surgical options