Rheumatoid arthritis is
a chronic inflammatory condition of the synovial
membrane - the thin layer of connective tissue that
lines the joints. If left untreated, chronic
inflammation of the joints can lead to joint damage,
deformity, and loss of function. The primary
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include painful,
swollen joints usually accompanied by morning
stiffness lasting for 1 hour or longer.
Because
damage to the joints occurs early in the course of
rheumatoid arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment
is crucial for halting progression of the disease
and preserving functional ability. Although
rheumatoid arthritis is a life-long illness for
which currently there is no known cure, early and
aggressive treatment can help to slow down the
disease progression and prevent disability.
It
should come as no surprise to anyone who suffers
from this condition to learn that rheumatoid
arthritis can have a significant negative impact on
quality of life. Joint pain, swelling, morning
stiffness, fatigue impaired mobility, and loss of
independence present difficult challenges involving
almost every aspect of life including:
Activities of daily living
Job-related tasks and functions
Recreational activities
Self-care
Personal hygiene
Social interactions with family and friends
Psychological and emotional wellbeing
In general, there are four major categories of
drugs that are used for the management of patients
with rheumatoid arthritis:
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs)
Corticosteroids
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
(DMARDs)
Selective co-stimulation modulators
Supportive therapies for rheumatoid arthritis
include:
