Global Rheumatology Research: Frontiers, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Rheumatologic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers musculoskeletal conditions to be the leading cause of disability worldwide, and the greatest independent contributors to chronic pain. Population-based surveys from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have demonstrated similar rates of RMDs compared with high-income countries.