Abstract

ALLY, MMTM  and  VISSER, CC. Rheumatoid arthritis. SA orthop. j. [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.2, pp.30-33. ISSN 2309-8309.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic symmetrical inflammatory arthropathy with potentially debilitating consequences in the early phases of the disease functional limitation is reversible; however, persistent inflammation results in irreversible structural changes and systemic effects accounting for considerable morbidity and premature mortality. This review, second of a two-part series, explores a paradigm shift in management of emphasising the pitfalls and benefit of early aggressive pharmacological therapies including the timely use of highly efficacious pharmacological innovations. Side effects, including peri-operative implications of pharmacological therapy, are discussed. These therapies are cost effective if used early and judiciously, giving hope to many patients with RA.

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