Miscellaneous neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic disorders with rheumatic manifestations.

The First International Workshop on Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy crystallized the current knowledge of this puzzling syndrome. Cytokine release by large thrombocytes in the periphery is the favored etiology, although specific therapy remains unavailable. An article on the rheumatologic consequences of alcohol is reviewed, along with a number of case reports of joint problems in rare skin and metabolic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of rarities, including rheumatic fever, interleukin-2-induced arthritis, and a unique "menstrual arthritis" might give insight into the etiology of more common arthropathies.