Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are among the most common chronic conditions. They are the second leading cause of visits to the doctor, ranking only behind colds and upper respiratory tract infections. Collectively, RMDs affect over 1.6 billion people worldwide and are the second leading cause of disability (Otón T, Villalobos-Quesada M, Loza E, Knevel R, Carmona L, EULAR Rheumatology Open 1:124–136, 2025). More than 10% of adults have clinical features of osteoarthritis. Fibromyalgia has a prevalence of 3%, and RA affects 0.5–1% of the adult population. The prevalence of gout is about 14–15 per 1000. Axial spondyloarthropathies occur in at least one in 200 individuals. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and psoriatic arthritis affect 1–2 children and 1–2 adults per 1000, respectively. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is less common, with a prevalence of at least one in 1000 (Gabriel SE, Michaud K, Arthritis Res Ther 11:229, 2009). Arthritis can begin at any age, affecting children as well as elderly individuals. However, the most common period of onset is in the third to sixth decades of life. Females are more commonly affected than males. Ninety percent of individuals with systemic lupus are female, as are two-thirds of those with RA. Only in the cases of gout and seronegative arthritides do males predominate. Arthritic disorders are the most common cause of long-term disability in the general population. Disability can be related directly to joint damage, as in osteoarthritis or uncontrolled RA. In systemic forms of arthritis, extra-articular manifestations can involve multiple organ systems, potentially leading to disability. Fatigue and mood disorders are common in individuals with arthritis and other chronic diseases and can be disabling. Cardiovascular disease risk is increased in patients with inflammatory arthritis and is the leading cause of mortality in most.