Rheumatologic diseases at the crossroads of anesthesia, pain medicine and intensive care: an under-recognized interface

Abstract

Rheumatologic diseases present very specific but often unnoticed complexities for anesthesiologists, pain management specialists and critical care providers. The varied systemic consequences of rheumatologic diseases, chronic inflammation, pain processing abnormalities and immunosuppression impact perioperative care, pain management and critical care outcome. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthropathy, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic vasculitis and systemic sclerosis possess a high risk of perioperative complications related to intricate airway, cardiopulmonary and infectious disease issues, as well as chronic pain. This editorial focuses on the interplay between rheumatology and anesthesia as an ever-evolving field, with particular regard to the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to perioperative pain management and critical care outcome.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Butt NI. Intensive Care; Pain; Pakistan; Rheumatologic Diseases; Rheumatology

Citation: Butt NI. Rheumatologic diseases at the crossroads of anesthesia, pain medicine and intensive care: an under-recognized interface. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2026;30(3):285-87. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v30i3.3161

Received: February 07, 2026; Accepted: March 02, 2026