Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in progressive disability and increased mortality. New therapeutic strategies are being recommended to initiate, earlier than in the past, more aggressive use of disease-modifying drugs in an effort to reduce joint destruction. In this article, the results of recent clinical trials with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous "pulse" corticosteroids, and standard disease-modifying drugs are reviewed. In addition, preliminary results of trials with new experimental therapies, such as botanical and marine lipids, interferon-gamma, and monoclonal antibodies directed against leukocyte cell surface markers are discussed.
Murphy
N G
NG
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Zurier
R B
RB
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D008727:Methotrexate