Clinical practice guidelines for the early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Colombian Association of Rheumatology, 2022

Abstract

Clinical practice guideline 2022 for the early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis developed by the rheumatoid arthritis study group of the Colombian Association of Rheumatology. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune disease in adults. Worldwide, RA has a prevalence of .5%-1%, with an age-standardised prevalence rate of 246.6 per 100,000 population, being more common in women than in men and with peak presentation between the ages of 60 and 64 years. The disease is characterised by joint pain and inflammation and in some cases can cause extra-articular manifestations such as dry syndrome, vasculitis, pericarditis, pleuritis, scleritis, among others. RA causes great morbidity, impairment of quality of life, severe disability, high direct and indirect costs to health systems, disability, and absenteeism from work. This guideline was developed for rheumatologists, primary care physicians, specialists in related areas, and other actors in the system with the aim of providing the most relevant information on the early detection of the disease, and its correct diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.