Some extra-articular manifestations of arthritis and complications of therapy. A pictorial essay.

More than 100 years ago Lasegue wrote, "Rheumatic fever licks at the joint but bites at the heart." This truth may be expanded to include nearly every joint ailment on one hand, and nearly every organ system on the other hand. In connective tissue disorders, bleeding diasthesias and metabolic and endocrine disorders, the joint manifestations are only one part of the total picture. This article shows a few examples of cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, and other manifestations. A few examples of iatrogenic complications are also described. The list of the examples described in this article is far from complete.