["TRECID", TNFalpha related chronic inflammatory diseases - a new multiple diseases bridging concept].

The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF alpha (TNF) has a key position in the pathogenesis of various infectious and inflammatory diseases. Clarification of its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, uveitis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease has resulted in the successful development of TNF- blocking therapies, which have disease-modifying properties that exceed the effects of conventional therapeutic options. For this reason data on the concurrence of several chronic inflammatory diseases have led to the hypothesis of common pathogenetic processes of cytokine dysregulation. The acronym TRECID describes this concept of "TNF RElated Chronic Inflammatory Diseases". Physicians of different specialties have integrated new therapeutic options with TNF-blocking therapies into their strategies for the management of the affected patients. Thus the concept of TRECID can be regarded as a role model for a dynamic, interdisciplinary cooperation based on shared pathophysiological aspects. Copyright Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.