Table 1

The panel recommends	A	LE

... investigating comorbidities and risk factors with high incidence or mortality, especially those that may be potentially preventable, or that may interfere with the assessment of RA or its treatment.	92	5
... optimizing the use of the clinical history, physical exam, and IT data, as major sources to identify and confirm comorbidities in RA.	89	5
... to carefully register all medications the patient is taking, related or not to RA.	93	5
... a very tight control of RA when extra-articular manifestations are present, according to what is recommended in RA guidelines.	89	3
... applying, whenever needed and as soon as possible, preventive measures of osteoporosis and fractures in RA patients with increased risk of fracture.	93	2
... involving the rheumatologist in all phases of planning and decision making of surgical procedures – orthopaedic or others –in RA patients.	86	5
... defining the level of responsibility in the management of non-rheumatic comorbidity adjusted to the setting and available resources, and following national or international guidelines for their management.	90	5
... routinely promoting health in RA patients.	89	3
... observing evidence-based guidelines for risk management of DMARDs – synthetic or biologic –, glucocorticoids, and NSAIDs.	96	5