title: Pharmacologic Therapies for Rheumatologic and Autoimmune Conditions.
abstract: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are commonly prescribed by rheumatologists to reduce disease activity and induce remission in autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Steroids are sometimes used in combination with DMARD therapy and should be used at the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time. There are many biologic agents available for use for inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Care should be taken when prescribing and managing DMARDS, steroids and biologic agents medications with a careful eye towards screening for infectious disease, vaccination, bone heath and lab monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Box 356428, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Electronic address: alisonmb@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bays
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Box 356428, 1959 Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003078:Colchicine; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: Autoimmune; Biologic agents; Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs); Gout; Immunosuppression; Rheumatology