Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

How to assess early rheumatoid arthritis in daily clinical practice.

Soubrier M, Dougados M

Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital G. Montpied, Place H Dunant, B.P. 69, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a heterogeneous disorder in terms of both clinical presentation and outcome. Our goals in RA are directed towards suppression of signs and symptoms of synovitis, prevention of structural damage, maintenance of functionability and reduction of mortality. IgM rheumatoid factor and anticitrulline antibodies should be recorded in clinical practice since they are prognostic values of outcome. As control of disease activity is pivotal to preventing or at least retarding long-term damage, it is important to define stringent therapeutic aims as well as to follow-up patients in daily practice. The disease activity score 28 is a valuable instrument for this purpose. The assessment of radiographic damage and disability should be assessed regularly. Since increased cardiovascular mortality has been documented even in early RA, other cardiovascular risk factors should be looked for and eventually treated.

Published 13 December 2004 in Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol, 19(1): 73-89.
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