Global Rheumatology Research: Frontiers, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Abstract

Rheumatologic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers musculoskeletal conditions to be the leading causes of disability worldwide, and the greatest independent contributors to chronic pain. Population-based surveys from low- and middlbe income countries (LMICs) have demostrated similar rates of RMDs compared with high-income countries. However, in many low-resource settings rheumatology remains underdeveloped with regard to health care access, clinical practice, education, training and research...