title: [Rheumatoid arthritis today].
abstract: Advances in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) such as methotrexate and biological response modifiers in particular, have turned a chronic progressive disease with significant invalidity and mortality into one that can be well controlled. To prevent irreversible damage, early diagnosis is essential. DMARD therapy needs to be instituted within three months after symptom onset - a clinical and organisational challenge. Long term DMARD therapy is monitored using standardized scores and modified whenever not sufficiently successful. Analgesia, physiotherapy and occupational therapy as well as orthopaedic surgery play important roles in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Consequent multimodal therapy can decisively influence the course of the disease and prevent or at least minimize damage.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leuchten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aringer
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors