Rheumatic Diseases We Treat at UPMC

At UPMC, you have access to doctors who are experts in rheumatic conditions, including the rarest ones.

With bone, joint, and connective tissue problems, symptoms can differ based on their causes. That is why a program that sees the entire range of rheumatic diseases is so important.

We treat many other rheumatic diseases in addition to those listed.

Common Rheumatic Diseases We Treat

Arthritis

There are many types of arthritis. Each has its own set of risk factors and symptoms.

For instance:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA can affect your whole body, including different organs besides the joints. RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning a disease in which your body "attacks itself." RA causes pain and inflammation in the joints. In most cases, we don't know the cause. At UPMC, our goal is to help you live a better, pain-free life, learn more about rheumatoid arthritis services available.
• Osteoarthritis (OA). OA affects only your joints and is not an immune system disease. Aging, repeated joint trauma, and overuse can lead to OA. It is more common in athletes and people who work physical jobs.
• Psoriatic arthritis (PsA).PsA is an autoimmune disease that combines arthritis and psoriasis — a scaly, sometimes itchy or painful rash. About one-third of people with psoriasis get PsA.

Other rheumatic autoimmune disorders

With autoimmune diseases, your immune system doesn't function as it should and "attacks" your body's own tissues.

UPMC rheumatologists treat the full range of autoimmune disorders, including:

• Lupus. This disease inflames the connective tissue. It can cause fatigue, painful or swollen joints, skin rashes, kidney problems, and/or unexplained fever. Experts at UPMC treat even the most complex lupus cases, learn more about our lupus services.
• Myositis. Myositis is a rare disease that results in inflamed muscles and can also affect the skin, joints, and/or lungs. Experts at UPMC are among the world's best at diagnosing and treating this disease. Learn more about the services for myositis available at UPMC.
• Pseudogout. Pseudogout looks like gout and can affect different joints such as the knees, causing pain and swelling. Pseudogout happens when a certain type of calcium crystal (one that is not gout) builds up in the joint.
• Sjögren's syndrome. This disease causes dry mouth and eyes. It can also involve other organs and sometimes occurs with other disorders like lupus and RA.
• Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases (SAIDs). SAIDs are rare conditions that cause recurring inflammation in the body. UPMC doctors have extensive training in caring for adults and children with SAIDs.
• Vasculitis. Vasculitis inflames your blood vessels in different areas of the body and may also cause joint pain. UPMC offers vasculitis services for thorough and timely care of this disease.

Bone, joint, and connective tissue conditions

• Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain and tenderness throughout the body, along with extreme fatigue. Doctors don't know the exact reason people get it, but UPMC offers a full treatment program.
• Gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes severe pain, redness, and tenderness in your joints. High levels of uric acid in your blood may cause it.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis changes your bone tissue structure, weakening bones and putting you at risk for fractures. It is most common in postmenopausal women, but older men can also get it.
• Paget's disease. Paget's disease disrupts the normal way your bones break down and regrow. Bones can regrow too quickly, making them soft or misshapen.
• Scleroderma. Scleroderma hardens and thickens the skin but can also affect other organs. Symptoms can include heartburn, bloating, shortness of breath, and/or joint pain. UPMC is a leader in the research and treatment of this rheumatic disease. Learn more about our services for scleroderma available.

Make a Rheumatology Appointment at UPMC

Call 1-888-349-1506 to make an appointment at a UPMC rheumatology location near you.