What's new in rheumatoid arthritis? An evidenced based review.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ostor
A J
AJ
Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria.
McColl
G J
GJ
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001315:Australia; D019468:Disease Management; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D012648:Self Care
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents