Have the new drugs relieved the burden of the orthopedic surgeon?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a chronic joint inflammation that leads to destructive lesions of joint cartilage and periarticular bone. Increased understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of RA and recent advantages in molecular technology have resulted in new antirheumatic drugs such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers, inhibitors of interleukin-1, and novel disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as leflunomide. This review summarizes the important effects of the novel antirheumatic drugs and their potential impact on the work of orthopedic surgeons. The ability of these agents not only to improve the clinical signs and symptoms of RA but also to prevent progressive joint damage promises support to the work of orthopedic surgeons and to the interdisciplinary treatment of RA patients. The challenge, however, will be to conduct studies that show the concrete way in which the single drugs may best relieve the burden of the orthopedic surgeon.
Pap
G
G
Department of Orthopedics, University of Magdeburg, School of Medicine, Magdeburg, Germany. geza.pap@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
Shigeyama
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines