Relative efficacies: Antimalarials to abatacept - The choice is ours

Abstract

Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are important in order to halt disease progression and joint destruction, and minimize loss of function. Individually, the disease modifying antirheumatic drugs have demonstrated similar efficacies in radiological and clinical outcomes. However, various combination therapies have been shown to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients who fail to respond adequately to monotherapy.With the introduction of the cytokine inhibitors and the development of newer biologic therapies, a number of treatment options are available for patients with RA. The efficacies of the various treatment strategies are reviewed. The Journal of Rheumatology Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved.