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Oxford Textbook of Rheumatology. David A. Isenberg, Peter J. Maddison, Patricia Woo, David Glass, and Ferdinand C. Breedveld, editors, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2004, 3rd edition, 1278 pages, price $675.00 US. This age of information has blessed us with knowledge but cursed us with how to manage it. This textbook is a good example of how to organize the breadth of rheumatology knowledge into one volume. The print is small but clear. The plethora of excellent illustrations and tables helps to organize the data, concentrate facts at an eye's glance and shorten the text. In the British tradition, the language in the text is simple, succinct, and a pleasure to read. The reference lists have been limited to around 100 key overview references per chapter. These references will supplement any limitations in the depth of information that sometimes must be sacrificed when managing endless data. In addition, a CD-ROM containing the full contents of the book is included. The organization of sections and chapters is practical, logical, and geared to clinical problem-solving. Section 1 deals with the clinical presentation of rheumatic disease including the clinical presentations in different age groups. In fact, a number of chapters throughout the book focus on pediatric rheumatology. Another interesting feature of this section is the handling of overlap of rheumatology with different specialties. A series of chapters are co-authored by rheumatologists and specialists in a wide range of other disciplines. Section 2 deals with the outcomes and delivery of rheumatologic care, rehabilitation, and sexuality. Pertinent aspects of basic science are described in sections 3 (pathophysiology) and 4 (inflammation). The investigation of rheumatic diseases is discussed in section 5. The gamut of rheumatic diseases including management is described in detail in section 6. Section 7 covers joint surgery, corticosteroid injection therapy, and sports medicine. The book reflects the current state of rheumatology around the world by utilizing over 150 internationally renowned contributors. Furthermore, because these authors are encouraged to express their opinions and expose areas of dispute, the sober medical evidence is enlivened. Faults are few. There are several minor spelling mistakes. In some of the diagrams and tables, abbreviations are not clarified. Some of the illustrations could be improved by labelling the abnormalities on the picture. The book is very expensive. The Textbook is highly recommended to rheumatology trainees and clinical and academic rheumatologists. Some may find it appealing to alternate new editions of this textbook with new editions of an American one every 4 to 5 years. This book is a must for medical libraries. HOWARD STEIN, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine (Honorary), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Cutaneous Manifestations of Rheumatic Disease. Richard D. Sontheimer and Thomas T. Provost. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004, 318 pages, $135.00 US. This textbook is written entirely by dermatologists and consists of 14 chapters covering the skin manifestations of all major musculoskeletal diseases. The content was determined using the Arthritis Foundation's Primer for Rheumatic Diseases (9th edition), and as a result is comprehensive. Most chapters include a historical perspective, pathophysiology, treatment, and systemic manifestations of the diseases. To the rheumatologist this adds little to standard rheumatology texts. The real strength of this book is the eloquent and comprehensive descriptions of common and rare cutaneous manifestations of the diseases treated by rheumatologists on a daily basis. Dermatologists involved in writing the chapters clearly have extensive clinical experience and strike a balance between more evidence-based research and personal experience. Several chapters deserve special mention. The chapter on miscellaneous disorders that commonly affect both skin and joints covers topics frequently seen by rheumatologists, but that are covered only superficially in the usual texts. Those on lupus, dermatomyositis, and vasculitis are especially comprehensive. One full chapter is devoted to rheumatic diseases in children. Because chapters are organized by diseases, and the text is well indexed, facts regarding specific rheumatic conditions can be found easily. Another major strength of the text is the 250 full-color illustrations. These cover commonly-seen manifestations and are thus invaluable to the trainee, but in addition display much rarer findings and are thus of interest to the most seasoned clinician. Overall, this is a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated book, which will serve as an excellent reference for rheumatologists interested in dermatology as it applies to their patients. SUSAN HUMPHREY-MURTO, MD, FRCPC, MED, The Ottawa Hospital Riverside Campus, Division of Rheumatology, Box 37, 1967 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 7W9, Canada.
Osteoarthritis, Second Edition. K.D. Brandt, M Doherty, L.S. Lohmander, editors, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 511 pages, Price $375 US. The second edition of this textbook offers a comprehensive overview of this disease from all angles. Osteoarthritis covers aspects of the disease from basic to clinical science, including therapeutic and potential targets for new therapies. This edition represents a major update, with extensive revision of many chapters and the addition of new ones that reflect the rapid evolution of knowledge in this field of medicine and addressing in particular new findings with regard to the etiopathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, new chapters have also been added to cover the recent developments in the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of osteoarthritis. The reader will particularly appreciate the logical succession in which the different chapters are presented, making this textbook one that presents a very lucid chronology of events. The presentation of the chapters is attractive, and each one is easy to read. The color illustrations, including pictures, tables and figures, are pleasant and help the reader more easily and effectively understand the data and/or concepts presented. The chapter bibliographies are complete and comprehensive and have been nicely updated from the first edition. The only drawback is that the work cited is a few years old. This, however, is common with almost all textbooks. The authors have made a considerable effort to add new chapters that reflect the most recent developments in the field of osteoarthritis. We found the chapter on imaging, as well as those addressing the different issues regarding the development and assessment of disease modifying antiosteoarthritis drugs, to be most relevant to the outstanding work which is now underway at both the basic and clinical research levels. This book will be an excellent reference to a wide audience interested in osteoarthritis, from trainees to general practitioners and sub-specialists. It provides useful information which will not only improve the understanding of the disease process but also guide the practitioner in providing optimal management and treatment of this disease condition. JEAN-PIERRE PELLETIER, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Center, Notre-Dame Hospital Montreal, PQ, Canada. |
