Common denominators of inflammatory joint diseases.

Inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders whose primary pathologic target is articular and periarticular tissue. Although each form of IJD is clinically distinct, these disorders share a number of common clinical, epidemiological, and pathogenetic elements. In all cases, there is a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors that serves to initiate the process, and likely, there is a different set of interactions to perpetuate the arthritis, as well as determine the destructiveness of the process. There are a number of intervention checkpoints common to all forms of IJD. These include pri-mary prevention by identifying populations at risk and environmental triggers; prevention of persistent synovitis, articular damage, and functional disability; and restoration of function. Research and innovation directed at each of these key intervention checkpoints will improve the care of these disorders, and ultimately save valuable health care resources.