This text represents the proceedings of a conference, Rheumaderm, that was held in December 1997. The meeting was a dialogue between the specialties of Rheumatology and Dermatology, exploring and discussing areas of common interest. The aim was to present problems common to both specialties, thereby emphasizing the team approach to such problems and helping to combine various skills.

The disciplines of rheumatology and dermatology are involved in the care of several diseases that share cutaneous and locomotor as well as, quite often, systemic involvement. While traditionally remaining separate, it has long been recognized that there are several areas of common interest in these two specialties. Indeed, this had been realized by sev- eral far-sighted physicians, both rheumatologists and dermatologists, such asG. Rodnan and 1. Gilliam. A number of books have been published over the past few years specifi- cally dealing with skin involvement in the connective tissue...