SEARCH
= Registered usersTight control in rheumatoid arthritis improves outcomes
29 Mar 2009
The management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has undergone major changes over the past decade. GPs have a pivotal role to play particularly with regard to early identification of disease and rapid referral. In an average GP practice of 10,000 patients at least 5 new cases of RA will be seen per year not including other types of inflammatory arthritis. As the prevalence is 1% GPs may have around 100 patients with RA on their list. The age range most commonly affected by RA is 30 to 70 years.1,2 The old paradigm of 'start low, go slow' has been rejected and a new therapeutic approach has been developed with early, intensive intervention in all patients with RA or suspected RA. Furthermore, in patients with definite RA, regular review with tight control using predefined disease activity measures has been found to improve outcomes.
This article can be accessed only if you are a paid-up subscriber to The Practitioner.
To subscribe contact: thepractitioner@servicehelpline.co.uk
Overseas subscription
Individual: £138Institutional: £138
Overseas: +44 (0)1795 418 670
Subscription enquiry: thepractitioner@servicehelpline.co.uk
UK subscription
Individual: £85Institutional: £85
UK: 0844 815 5934
Subscription enquiry: thepractitioner@servicehelpline.co.uk