Since the first edition was published in 1993 there have been major ad vances in all the subject areas covered in the book. As a consequence much of the original material is now out of date and the book has been extensively re-written. Additional chapters have been added on system atic vasculities and Paget's disease and much more attention has been given to neck and upper limb pain disorders as well as chronic widespr ead pain and fibromyalgia. In addition a new chapter has been provided reviewing population studies as a whole of musculosketal morbidity. T he authors have also taken the...

Following on in the footsteps of its acclaimed and popular predecessor, this new edition builds on the successful features that engaged readers of the first edition: it explains the principles and practice of epidemiology and serves as a handbook for those who wish to do epidemiology; it uses relevant exercises and examples, taken from real life, to illustrate how to set up a study; it aims to help produce valid results that will satisfy grant bodies, ethical committees, and journal editors; ultimately it bridges the gap between theory and practice. This edition includes numerous improvements...