Scientists, practicing clinicians, physicians and non-medical professionals attended the above mentioned congress to exchange views both within the frame of the scientific program and also in personal talks and conversations. The free articulation of rheumatic patients, as the central problem of the scientific program was tackled from different directions, with the entire scope of rheumatology presented from basic sciences and research to patient counselling and the activities of the social leagues. The majority of the scientific program concerned the workshops in which hard discussions helped to bring closer the differing views. This publication comprises a collection of the scientific portion of the congress, presenting the plenary lectures and the workshops in a topical order.
