The rheumatological history

Taking a thorough history is an important part of clinical practice in rheumatology. The attending doctor should set aside the time necessary to obtain a detailed history from a patient suspected of having a rheumatic disease, taking into account the multisystem nature of these conditions. A thorough history may also help to focus the physical examination and investigations; testing for every possible autoantibody in the hope of finding a positive one is neither a sensitive nor an effective use of healthcare resources. The history should cover psychosocial as well as physical issues and be able to identify significant red or yellow flags that will help decide the management plan.