What's new in rheumatoid arthritis? An evidenced based review.
AUSTRALIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN 2001;
30:314-20. [PMID:
11355216]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and has been associated with significant functional impairment and a shortened life expectancy. Fortunately, over the past 10 years, there has been a significant change in its management, which has resulted in improved outcomes for RA patients.
OBJECTIVE
To critically appraise the recent evidence which affects the contemporary management of RA.
DISCUSSION
The bulk of recent evidence suggests that disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) should be commenced early and continued indefinitely in RA patients. Single DMARD therapy may be sufficient in some patients but combinations, particularly those which include methotrexate, improve symptomatic and radiological outcomes. The use of newer therapies, including leflunomide and tumour necrosis factor-alpha blocking drugs, promise to further improve these outcomes.
Collapse