Rheumatoid Arthritis: Assessment Tools & Current Treatment Strategies

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder mainly involving joints. It is a lifelong process &its etiology is poorly understood.It is the result of interaction between the environmental factors with the genetics of persons which is likely to associated with the disease. Many assessment tools have been used for assessing the disease with each having its own merits & demerits. For its treatment patient has to take medicines for life long which results in tolerance to efficacy & increase in adverse effects. Different treatment guidelines are followed in different parts of world according to their convenience. No doubt drugs like methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunamide, sulfasalazine are still the pillars of the treatment but there is always a need for newer efficacious & safe drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. © 2011 IGJPS. All rights reserved.