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Measuring disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Source :
-
Expert review of clinical immunology [Expert Rev Clin Immunol] 2019 Feb; Vol. 15 (2), pp. 135-145. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Dec 20. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Introduction : Effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires suppression of the underlying inflammation. Measurement of such inflammation, the disease activity, is mandatory to target treatment and maximize outcomes. However, this is not as straightforward as it may seem. Areas covered : The many tools developed to measure disease activity in RA, from composite scores and patient-reported outcomes, to laboratory markers and imaging are discussed, with a focus on their utility in guiding therapy and assessing response. The complex issues in measuring disease activity in RA, whether in clinical trials or normal clinical practice, and in the context of national guidelines and recommendations, available time, and resources are considered. Expert commentary : The key to effective management of RA is the rapid suppression of inflammation, ideally to remission, with maintenance of such remission. The aim is to prevent disability and maximize quality of life. Central to this is the ability to determine disease activity (potentially open to suppression) as opposed to damage (irreversible). A variety of measures are currently available, allowing better assessment of response to treatment. In the future, the development of predictive biomarkers allowing targeting of drugs may revolutionize this field and render the tools of today redundant.
- Subjects :
- Antirheumatic Agents therapeutic use
Arthritis, Rheumatoid diagnosis
Arthritis, Rheumatoid drug therapy
Biomarkers blood
Humans
Inflammation
Joints pathology
Joints physiopathology
Patient Reported Outcome Measures
Severity of Illness Index
Treatment Outcome
Arthritis, Rheumatoid pathology
Arthritis, Rheumatoid physiopathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1744-8409
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Expert review of clinical immunology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30556738
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/1744666X.2019.1559050