title: Optimizing outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: A chronic systemic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis can cause progressive joint destruction, deformity, disability, and premature death. Pain management is an important component of patient care, and short-term opioid analgesics should be considered in those with severe arthritis pain. Treatment with DMARDs should be initiated early in the course of the disease to control synovitis and disease progression. Biological therapies that block specific cytokines are important advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
authors: School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
authors: Ralph E
authors: RE
authors: Small
authors: Arthur
authors: A
authors: Schuna
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept