Flexible Use Of Drugs With Close Patient Follow-Up Can Successfully Control Rheumatoid Arthritis

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 24 Mar 2007 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

In the second year of a study of treatments for early rheumatoid arthritis, 508 patients were assigned to one of four treatment groups using standard arthritis drugs (Article, p. 406).

The disease status of all groups was evaluated every three months and medications were adjusted according to a protocol.

All groups improved and maintained improvement during the second year. The two groups that began with combinations of drugs improved the fastest and had less damage to the arthritic joints.

An editorial writer says that the study shows that most patients with early rheumatoid arthritis will preserve a high quality of life if clinicians have the flexibility to change therapy, maintain close contact with patients, and adjust therapy in a timely fashion until patients have achieved low levels of disease activity or are in remission (Editorial, p. 459).

###

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for March 20, 2007

NOTE: Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians. This highlight is not intended to substitute for article as source of information.

Contact: Susan Anderson
American College of Physicians

• Additional
• References
• Citations