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The History of Rheumatology

The field of rheumatology, the study of the causes, conditions, and treatments of rheumatic diseases, is relatively young in comparison to other related medical fields of study. Rheumatology falls under the auspices of internal medicine, as afflictions of the body's joints and related tissues (and there are many) have received enough attention over the past few decades to warrant specialized attention. Rheumatologists are in demand in many clinical and hospital settings, as the practice continues to grow in its understanding of the various related diseases.

  1. Early Days

    • Although rheumatic diseases have existed for as long as humans have walked the earth, a clear understanding, thus a clear undertaking of a treatment, didn't take shape until 1925 when doctors met in Paris to discuss "arthritis deformans". Dutch doctor Jan van Breeman lobbied to have a special branch of the International Society of Medical Hydrology (ISMH) be created to study the nature of arthritis. Thus the first organized practice began, initially called the International Committee on Rheumatism. The Committee officially opened its doors in 1932 and 1933 to gain momentum in the scientific community.

    Off & Running

    • The Committee boasted several prominent members by the time November of '33 rolled around, and interest was enough to form a membership association. The newly formed American Rheumatism Association oversaw the Third Conference on Rheumatic Diseases, held in Cleveland in 1934. The later held their first business meeting later that year.

    Continued Growth

    • Ten years later, the Pan-American League Against Rheumatism formed, and the ARA listed as an affiliated member. The ARA encouraged the formation of other such research groups. Towards the end of the 1940s, pediatric rheumatism research began in earnest, and the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation (ARF) formed form the ARA's donated funds. Years later in 1958, the ARA helped publish the first issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a monthly medical journal still published today.

    Unification

    • In 1965, the ARA combined with the Arthritis Foundation, although it was allowed to keep its name and identity separate. The retooled organization continued funding rheumatism research, and started the Arthritis Health Professions Association as a resource for those working in the field.

    Today

    • From the 1980s onward, the AF/ARA funded many breakthroughs in understanding the nature of many of the rheumatologic diseases until 1994, when the AHPA decided to break from its ties with its parent foundation to form with the newer American College of Rheumatology. These research entities continue to work together in some capacity today.

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