NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—After starting biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patients with higher disease activity at baseline achieved greater improvements in measures of disease activity than those with lower levels of disease, but they were less likely to achieve remission or even low disease activity, according to a new real world analysis of registry data….
Methotrexate with Step-Down Glucocorticoid Remission Induction Works in Early RA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Methotrexate with step-down glucocorticoid remission induction (COBRA Slim) is an effective, safe and feasible initial treatment strategy for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers from Belgium report. Patients with early RA should be treated rapidly, intensively and to target, according to current guidelines, they note in a paper online July 18…
Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis Tied to Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Disease remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome, according to a new study from Thailand. Researchers also found that a lower educational level was linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, they report in Joint Bone Spine, online May 26. Dr….
Better Evidence Supports Slightly Revised Treat-to-Target Recommendations for RA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—A number of recent studies support last year’s update of 2010 treat-to-target recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to the international task force that revised them. Dr. Josef S. Smolen from Medical University of Vienna, Austria, and colleagues updated their 2010 advice based on systematic literature reviews and expert opinion. They left…
California Rheumatology Alliance 2013 Meeting: Aim for Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of RA is key, expert says
New Criteria for RA Remission
ACR and EULAR update 1981 criteria to reflect modern treatment options
Pursue Remission
Disease remission should be the goal for all rheumatologists treating childhood arthritis
Target Remission
Strategies to identify and track remission in your RA patients