The year 1999 was a landmark year for the European league Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and BMJ Publishing Group: the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), the world’s oldest English rheumatology journal, became the official journal of EULAR, from then on being co-owned by both organisations. This marriage has proven to be a success story; the growing importance and influence of EULAR in the field of rheumatology in its broadest sense being mirrored in a very well kept and managed journal.

It has been a great experience and honour for me to have been the first editor of the journal in its new role, starting in July 1999. From then on there have been quite a few changes. A very important one was that the manuscript handling and processing became totally electronic, allowing for a substantial increase in efficiency and speed. In addition, the Online First facility of the journal now ensures an extra speeding-up of getting accepted papers into the public domain, usually in only a few weeks after acceptance.

In the years since 1999 the number of submissions tripled, the quality of papers improved and the impact of the journal definitely increased. The latter is reflected in a sharp rise in Impact Factor, being around 6 in the last few years.

The performance of a journal like ARD is down to teamwork. As departing editor, I’m quite aware that I owe much to all those who made their best efforts for the journal: authors, reviewers, and the editorial team, including associate editors and board; the pleasant and professional working with friends at BMJ Publishing Group and EULAR. And last but certainly not least, our editorial assistant, Christine Janssen-Seijkens, whom I enjoyed so much working with and who compensated so well for many of my shortcomings. Fortunately, she will continue with her work for the journal.

It is a particular pleasure for me to pass on the editorship of the journal to my colleague and friend, Professor Tore Kvien, who will certainly contribute greatly to the further growth and excellence of the journal. The handover will be as of 1 April 2008.

I wish him and his team a safe journey into the future and the success that ARD deserves.