title: Objectives and strategies for rheumatoid arthritis therapy: yesterday vs. today.
abstract: The goals for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have changed from slowing the disease process only after a definitive diagnosis is made, to intervening early to minimize disease activity and achieve and maintain remission. To meet the new goals, both monotherapy and combination therapy must be administered not only early but aggressively, and aggressive therapy must be sustained. In addition, the efficacy of this treatment design can only be achieved if disease activity is monitored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Vienna General Hospital, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Josef S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smolen
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents