PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Monika Schoels
AU  - Daniel Aletaha
AU  - Josef S Smolen
AU  - Johannes W J Bijlsma
AU  - Gerd Burmester
AU  - Ferdinand C Breedveld
AU  - Maurizio Cutolo
AU  - Bernard Combe
AU  - Maxime Dougados
AU  - Paul Emery
AU  - Joachim Kalden
AU  - Edward C Keystone
AU  - Tore K Kvien
AU  - Emilio Martin-Mola
AU  - Carlomaurizio Montecucco
AU  - Maarten De Wit
TI  - Follow-up standards and treatment targets in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a questionnaire at the EULAR 2008
AID  - 10.1136/ard.2009.108472
DP  - 2010 Mar 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 575--578
VI  - 69
IP  - 3
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/69/3/575.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/69/3/575.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2010 Mar 01; 69
AB  - Background Therapeutic approaches to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have undergone significant changes. The importance of tight control and early treatment, rapidly altered if goals are not achieved, is supported by evidence. However, it is unknown to what extent these insights are accepted by practitioners in clinical practice. Objective To obtain information about standard follow-up and treatment practices, and rheumatologists' aims in the care of patients with RA. Methods A survey conducted at the 2008 EULAR Congress. Results Most specialists, who were mainly from Europe and Latin America, were well-informed about recent concepts: two-thirds specified remission as a major goal. The experts attempted to reach treatment aims within 12–14 weeks, altering treatment otherwise. Disease activity assessment by composite measures is performed by a majority, although one-third preferentially relied upon their judgment. Conclusion These results suggest the acceptance of ambitious treatment concepts in practice. Although voluntary surveys have limitations, the answers reflect widespread adoption of desirable standards of care.