title: Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: the earlier the better to prevent joint damage.
abstract: The management of rheumatoid arthritis has undergone major advances in recent years, both in terms of the drugs armamentarium and therapeutic strategy. Treating disease to target, aiming at remission, through a tight control protocol is regarded as the standard of care. Reaching clinical and radiographic disease remission has therefore become an achievable goal. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that early diagnosis, prompt treatment initiation and early achievement of remission are the major predictors of long-term clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes. Concentrating efforts in controlling disease activity in a very early window of opportunity offers unique sustained benefits. In this short review, we analysed the available evidence supporting the value of treating rheumatoid arthritis early and the impact on disease outcomes, with particular focus on radiographic progression.
authors.affiliation: Division of rheumatology , University of Pavia; early Arthritis Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.affiliation: Division of rheumatology , University of Pavia; early Arthritis Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Carlomaurizio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.affiliation: Division of rheumatology , University of Pavia; early Arthritis Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bugatti
authors.affiliation: Division of rheumatology , University of Pavia; early Arthritis Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caporali
keywords: Early Rheumatoid Arthritis; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Treatment