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Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Geletka, R; St Clair, EW
Published in: Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol
October 2003

Increasing attention has focused on the early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of the short time lag that can exist between the onset of synovitis and the development of joint damage and loss of function. For optimal benefit, treatment may need to begin in a theoretical 'window of opportunity' that exists within the first few weeks or months of disease onset. Current evidence suggests that early introduction of therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can slow the progression of joint damage and improve long-term outcomes. Moreover, results of several studies suggest that early treatment with two- and three-DMARD combinations can produce superior benefits compared with DMARD monotherapy. Although early DMARD therapy has proven ability to slow the pace of joint destruction, individual treatment decisions are problematic because of the difficulty in accurately predicting individual prognosis and differential responses to therapy. Controlled trials are needed in early disease to investigate these questions and to identify treatment strategies that can effectively induce sustained remission and prevent joint damage.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol

DOI

ISSN

1521-6942

Publication Date

October 2003

Volume

17

Issue

5

Start / End Page

791 / 809

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Humans
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Arthritis & Rheumatology
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Geletka, R., & St Clair, E. W. (2003). Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol, 17(5), 791–809. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1521-6942(03)00044-5
Geletka, Robin, and E William St Clair. “Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 17, no. 5 (October 2003): 791–809. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1521-6942(03)00044-5.
Geletka R, St Clair EW. Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Oct;17(5):791–809.
Geletka, Robin, and E. William St Clair. “Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol, vol. 17, no. 5, Oct. 2003, pp. 791–809. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s1521-6942(03)00044-5.
Geletka R, St Clair EW. Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Oct;17(5):791–809.
Journal cover image

Published In

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol

DOI

ISSN

1521-6942

Publication Date

October 2003

Volume

17

Issue

5

Start / End Page

791 / 809

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Humans
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Arthritis & Rheumatology
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences