Evidence from clinical trials and long-term observational studies that disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs slow radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: updating a 1983 review.
Earlier reports, including a comprehensive 1983 review, had indicated that slowing of radiographic progression was relatively unusual in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using traditional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. However, in recent years, slowing of radiographic progression has been documented in a number of clinical trials, as well as long-term observational studies, with use of (in alphabetical order) adalimumab, anakinra, corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin, etanercept, gold salts, infliximab, leflunomide, methotrexate and sulphasalazine. At this time, disease modification is a realistic goal in the clinical care of patients with RA. Documentation of improved long-term outcomes requires long-term observational data over 5-20 yr to supplement data from randomized controlled clinical trials over 6-24 months.
Pincus
T
T
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 203 Oxford House, Nashville, TN 37232-4500, USA.
Ferraccioli
G
G
Sokka
T
T
Larsen
A
A
Rau
R
R
Kushner
I
I
Wolfe
F
F
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001175:Arthrography; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents