title: Evaluating slow-acting antirheumatic drug therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Clinical trials with slow-acting or disease-modifying drugs in rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to design and execute. Such trials are expensive and require long periods of observation. However, there is no acceptable alternative to the properly designed and completed controlled clinical trial. Broad principles for the design of such trials and the basic elements of the study design are outlined and discussed.
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents