[Management of early rheumatoid arthritis].
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1% of the adult population and is a chronic disease lasting for many decades. RA often results, despite therapy, in progressive joint destruction, deformity and disability, causing a major economic loss for the patients and the society. Most common the onset of the disease is between the 4th and 5th decade: RA affects 3 times more women than men. Both, the diagnostic as well as the therapeutic opportunities, have greatly improved over the last years. Nevertheless, there are still deficiencies in the care of patients with early RA (ERA). Consequently, the "German Society for Rheumatology" has set up recommendations for "The management of early RA", which are introduced in this article.
Iking-Konert
Christof
C
Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Rheumatologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf. iking-konert@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Ostendorf
Benedikt
B
Schneider
Mattias
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D013256:Steroids