RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The ying and yang of fever in rheumatic disease
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 288
OP 291
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.15-3-288
VO 15
IS 3
A1 James Galloway
A1 Andrew P Cope
YR 2015
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/15/3/288.abstract
AB Fevers are relatively common in rheumatic disease, largely due to the fact that the inflammatory process is driven by inflammatory mediators that function as endogenous pyrogens. Since the immune system's sensors cannot accurately distinguish between endogenous and exogenous (pathogen-derived) pyrogens a major challenge for physicians and rheumatologists has been to decipher patterns of clinical signs and symptoms to inform clinical decision making. Here we describe some of the common pitfalls and clinical challenges, and highlight the importance of a systematic approach to investigating the rheumatic disease patient presenting with fever.