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Book Reviews Osteoarthritis Handbook Nigel Arden, Cyrus Cooper, editors. London: Taylor & Francis Group, 2006, 210 pages, $44.99 US. New information regarding "the most common joint pathology worldwide" has been forthcoming continuously. This monograph is an attempt to harness that new information and put it into the foundation that already exists regarding osteoarthritis knowledge and research. In the main it succeeds in achieving this goal. This is a well written, evidence-based text by knowledgeable experts in their respective areas. In addition, it is richly referenced in all its chapters. Highly recommended are the chapters regarding diagnosis (including imaging methods) and pharmacologic treatments. This latter chapter in particular is essential reading for the clinician who treats large numbers of patients with osteoarthritis. Treatments discussed range from acetaminophen to NSAID to topical and intraarticular therapies, glucosamine, and chondroitin. The presentation, in the format of background, safety profile, evidence, and summary, provides a balanced and effective overview of our understanding of the most common modalities in the management of osteoarthritis. Alternative and complementary approaches have been included in the chapter on nonpharmacological management; however, a more thorough discussion would have been timely and welcome, given the increasing interest in the (mis)information that is so prevalent in this regard. A succinct chapter on surgical treatment is well done and brings the reader up to date with new advances. The book will serve the musculoskeletal consultant well, and the chapter on therapeutics should be required reading for any healthcare professional who is confronted by almost daily input from the media and patient confusion. The evidence-based approach will serve the clinician well, and as such, this monograph is a welcome addition to texts dealing with osteoarthritis. Jerry Tenenbaum, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto; Consultant in Rheumatology: Mount Sinai Hospital and University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada Canadian Residents' Rheumatology Handbook Lori Albert, MD, editor. Victoria: Trafford Publishing, 2005, 223 pages, price $21.50 (US). This handbook was put together by a postgraduate education committee of the Canadian Rheumatology Association and supported with an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada. The handbook is part of the course materials for a rheumatology curriculum for core medicine residents in Canada. It is a practical guide, rather than an exhaustive review of topics, for use in clinical settings. Each chapter ends with a few references for residents who want to pursue a subject in more detail. This handbook aims to make medical residents confident and competent in identifying and managing common rheumatologic problems. Because of the shortage and maldistribution of rheumatologists in Canada, it is important for internists to be able to initiate the process of diagnosis and management before a rheumatologist can see the patient. The main sections of the book are: Approach to Common Rheumatic Presentations (e.g., monoarthritis); Selection and Interpretation of Laboratory Tests and Imaging; Therapeutics; Selected Rheumatologic Emergencies; Physical Examination (screening and detailed joint examinations); and Joint Aspiration and Injection Techniques. The chapters are structured uniformly, each beginning with "Key Concepts." Much of the book is in point form with prominent subtitles so that it is easy to find information. However, there are some omissions, e.g., in one table: pulmonary fibrosis under dermatomyositis and interstitial nephritis under Sjögren's syndrome. The use of generic and brand names for drugs is inconsistent. There are some undefined acronyms, such as "ARB." The clarity of the hand radiographs on pages 132-5 is not optimal. I would certainly recommend the book to residents in internal medicine (and not just to Canadian ones), but also to first year rheumatology fellows, general internists, and family practitioners. Howard Stein, MD, FRCPC, Rheumatologist, Honorary Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. |