Early therapy in active rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Arresting and preventing structural damage is a primary goal of therapy in rheumatoid arthritis(RA). The current trent in the treatment of RA is to intervene early, before the development of irreversible joint damage. The majority of patients with newly diagnosed RA should be started on disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy within 3 months of diagnosis. Each DMARD has specific toxicity that requires careful monitoring. Therefore, physician who care for these patients need to be aware of the potential adverse effects of these medications. The physician should also assess many factors such as compliance of patient, the severity and prognosis of the disease, and the physician's own confidence in administering the drug for the decision regarding the initiation and selection of a DMARD.