Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens and are characterized by activation of T cells or B cells, or both, leading to pathology. ADs represent a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect specific target organs or multiple organ systems. The chronic nature of these diseases places a significant burden on the utilization of medical care, direct and indirect economic costs, and quality of life.

A number of patterns of illness affecting joints or muscles are associated with autoimmune and inflammatory responses and are, therefore, called autoimmune rheumatic diseases. They include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s syndrome, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, vasculitis, Behcet´s disease, myasthenia gravis, sarcoidosis, and a spectrum of related syndromes. Rheumatological features also occur with nonrheumatic autoimmune diseases (e.g., autoimmune thyroid diseases).

We invite investigators to submit original research as well as review articles that will support and contribute to understand the clinical, laboratory, and demographic factors of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Systemic sclerosis
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
• Vasculitis
• Behcet´s disease
• Autoimmune thyroid disease and autoimmune diseases
• Cardiovascular disease in autoimmune diseases

Before submission authors should carefully read the journal’s Author Guidelines which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/bmri/rheumatology/ard/ according to the following schedule: