title: [German 2012 guidelines for the sequential medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Adapted EULAR recommendations and updated treatment algorithm].
abstract: Following the EULAR recommendations published in 2010 German guidelines for the medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were developed based on an update of the systematic literature search and expert consensus. Methotrexate is the standard treatment option at the time of diagnosis, preferably in combination with low dose glucocorticoids. Combined disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) therapy should be considered in patients not responding within 12 weeks. Treatment with biologicals should be initiated in patients with persistent high activity no later than 6 months after conventional treatment and in exceptional situations (e.g. early destruction or unfavorable prognosis) even earlier. If treatment with biologicals remains ineffective, changing to another biological is recommended after 3-6 months. In cases of long-standing remission a controlled reduction of medical treatment can be considered.
authors.affiliation: Praxiszentrum Rheumatologie, St. Bonifatius Str. 5, 81541, München, Deutschland. Klaus.Krueger@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wollenhaupt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Backhaus
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baerwald
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bolten
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burkhardt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burmester
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaubitz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gause
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gromnica-Ihle
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kellner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuipers
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: H-M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nüßlein
authors.forename: H-G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Pott
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubbert-Roth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Specker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schulze-Koops
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Tony
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wassenberg
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Müller-Ladner
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents