Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Guidelines

The goals of medication treatment are to achieve remission of symptoms and signs of ra and prevent further damage of the joints and loss of function without causing permanent or unacceptable side effects.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment guidelines. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis ra is directed toward the control of synovitis and the prevention of joint injury. Acr ra treatment recommendations 11. Reproductive health in rheumatic diseases. In 2016 the european league against rheumatism eular updated its 2007 guidelines for the management of early arthritis which put renewed emphasis on early intervention.

Management of early ra. But clinical studies indicate that remission of symptoms is more likely when treatment begins early with medications known as disease modifying antirheumatic drugs dmards. The 2012 acr ra guidelines refers to the acr ra disease activity measure recommendations. Medications are the cornerstone of treatment when rheumatoid arthritis ra symptoms are active.

2015 american college of rheumatology acr recommendations for the treatment of established rheumatoid arthritis ra defined as disease duration 6 months or meeting the 1987 acr classification criteria 81. To promote transparency and assist acr guideline development groups in their work the acr has outlined its policies and procedures for guideline development and maintenance in the acr guideline manual. Guideline policies and procedures. 2012 update of the 2008 recommendations for the use of disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs and biologics in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Approach considerations optimal care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis ra consists of an integrated approach that includes both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. 27 the mainstays of treatment have been conventional synthetic disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs 28 dmards such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine.