Pharmacology in the musculoskeletal system

Musculoskeletal diseases (also called rheumatic diseases) are a major cause of morbidity throughout the world ( World Health Organization (WHO), 2003 ); they encompass a wide spectrum of disorders that are propagated by a plethora of biological factors. There are over 200 such rheumatic diseases that span from various types of arthritis to systemic connective tissue diseases ( European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), 2009 ). They constitute a diverse group of conditions from those of acute onset and short duration (e.g. gout, tendonitis and bursitis) to chronic progressive disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatic diseases represent an important social and economic problem inflicting enormous costs on health and social care systems. In Europe, nearly 25% of adults are affected by long-standing musculoskeletal problems that limit daily activities ( Lidgren et al, 2005 ). By virtue of their inconsistent pathophysiology; each musculoskeletal disease demands a different approach to its management in the clinic. Therefore, there is no single medication or treatment that is optimal for everyone. In many rheumatic diseases pain is a common symptom and its management is one of the most important aspects of patient care.