Abstract Patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may incur important resource utilisation and work productivity loss, resulting in high costs of illness. Impairment in physical function, which increases with disease…
There are now five anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) drugs licenced for use in rheumatoid arthritis. This chapter examines the similarities and differences between the drugs and looks for clues with…
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition causing joint pain and swelling and sometimes systemic involvement. The aims of treatment are, first, to reduce the impact the disease has…
The optimal management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires tools that allow early and accurate disease diagnosis, prediction of poor prognosis and responsive monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. Conventional radiography has been…
Conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the main tool to treat any form of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over the years, treatment strategies and use of DMARDs have changed. ‘Tight control’…
B-cell depletion therapy based on rituximab is effective and relatively safe in established rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab is licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate and in…
Abstract Developments in the understanding of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the introduction of targeted biologic therapies have greatly advanced the management of RA in clinical practice. The…
As very effective targeted biological therapies have become available to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), remission is now the goal of treatment. Since 1981, efforts have been undertaken to develop criteria…
There are secular trends in improvement in disease activity and X-ray damage at baseline and cross-sectionally in prevalent cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in recent years. These changes should translate…
Abstract Co-morbid conditions are common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the presence of co-morbid conditions can be assessed using standardised indexes such as the Charlson index, most clinicians…
