title: [Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is useful. Emphasizing the importance of early referral to patients and doctors].
abstract: It is becoming clearer that early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is useful. Recently, Dutch investigators observed a difference between RA referred early (within 12 weeks) and RA referred later (after 12 weeks). Patients who were referred earlier had a better prognosis, less damage on radiology, and a higher chance of going into remission. We discuss that these data support the importance of the early recognition of RA. Educating the public and establishing early arthritis clinics could help to prevent delay for both patient and doctor.
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum, afd. Reumatologie, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. wf.lems@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Willem F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Lems
authors.forename: J W J Hans
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bijlsma
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents