Abstract
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have changed significantly in the last decade. The emphasis is now on early intervention with the aim of preventing disability and irreversible damage. Advocates of early intervention would suggest an alteration in the disease process, not just debulking of inflammatory disease. The data would at least support attenuation of the disease process with aggressive early therapy. Further research is required to elucidate the scientific mechanisms involved and their impact on the pathological progress of RA.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
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Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology
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Disease Progression
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Pain Measurement
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Prognosis
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Range of Motion, Articular / drug effects
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Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
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Risk Factors
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Severity of Illness Index
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Time Factors
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Treatment Outcome
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United Kingdom / epidemiology
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antirheumatic Agents