In Defense of Research into the Crystal Induced Arthropathies

Excerpt

To the Editor:

We were most interested to read Prof. Pritzker’s assessment of the state of research into the crystal induced arthropathies¹. We wish to assure Prof. Pritzker and the wider rheumatology community that, rather than being a “dwindling endangered species whose interests are seen to be peripheral to those of most rheumatologists,” those researchers involved in studying the crystal induced arthropathies are enthusiastic, energetic, and productive.

In recent years, work in this field has led to critical advances in our understanding of the basic science and epidemiology of crystal induced arthropathies^2-6. Further, the prospect of new agents to treat ...