The book is a reference work reviewing in detail currently available data on the epidemiology of the major rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The volume considers the problems of disease definition and criteria, data on the occurrence of these diseases, both prevalence and incidence, and describes their variation with age, sex, geographical area, ethnic group, and trends over time. Also reviewed are results of epidemiological investigations looking at risk factors, both genetic and environmental. The results of family and twin studies are considered together with new data from immunogenetics and molecular biology. The impact of specific diseases on survival is also considered.