¹ Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna; Second Department of Medicine, Hietzing Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria
² Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmunity, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
³ Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, UK
⁴ Arthritis Care, London, UK
⁵ Leiden University Medical School, Leiden, The Netherlands
⁶ Department of Rheumatology, Charité Hospital, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
⁷ Department of Rheumatology, Hopital Cochin, René Descartes University, Paris, France
⁸ Division of Rheumatology, Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
⁹ Division of Haematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
¹⁰ Department of Rheumatology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
¹¹ Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
¹² Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
¹³ Institute and Clinic of Rheumatology, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor J S Smolen
Department of Rheumatology, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; josef.smolen{at}wienkav.at

ABSTRACT
A large number of experts experienced in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were involved in formulating a consensus statement on the use of B cell-targeted treatment with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The statement was supported by data from randomised controlled clinical trials and the substantial literature on oncology. The statement underwent three rounds of discussions until its ultimate formulation. It should guide clinicians in the use of this newly approved biological agent in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abbreviations: ACR, American College of Rheumatology; SCDAI, Simplified composite Disease Activity Index; DAS28, 28-joint Disease Activity Score; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; HACA, human antichimeric antibody; MTX, methotrexate; SDAI, simplified Disease Activity Index; TNF, tumour necrosis factor

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Rituximab and {blacktriangledown}abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis DTB, August 1, 2008; 46(8): 57 - 61. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R M Thurlings, K Vos, C A Wijbrandts, A H Zwinderman, D M Gerlag, and P P Tak Synovial tissue response to rituximab: mechanism of action and identification of biomarkers of response Ann Rheum Dis, July 1, 2008; 67(7): 917 - 925. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. R. Soriano, C. Galarza-Maldonado, M. H. Cardiel, B. A. Pons-Estel, L. Massardo, C. V. Caballero-Uribe, A. F. Achurra-Castillo, L. A. Barile-Fabris, J. Chavez-Corrales, J. F. Diaz-Coto, et al. Use of rituximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: the Latin American context Rheumatology, July 1, 2008; 47(7): 1097 - 1099. [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Jung, K. Owczarczyk, M. Hellmann, C. Lehmann, G. Fatkenheuer, M. Hallek, and A. Rubbert Efficacy and safety of rituximab in a patient with active rheumatoid arthritis and chronic disseminated pulmonary aspergillosis and history of tuberculosis Rheumatology, June 1, 2008; 47(6): 932 - 933. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Burr, A. P. Malaviya, J. H. Gaston, A. J. Carmichael, and A. J. K. Ostor Rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis following anti-TNF-associated tuberculosis Rheumatology, May 1, 2008; 47(5): 738 - 739. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Freidlin, I. G Wong, and N. Acharya Rituximab treatment for peripheral ulcerative keratitis associated with Wegener's granulomatosis Br. J. Ophthalmol., October 1, 2007; 91(10): 1414 - 1414. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ramos-Casals and P. Brito-Zeron Emerging biological therapies in primary Sjogren's syndrome Rheumatology, September 1, 2007; 46(9): 1389 - 1396. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]