A quick and painless reminder: The pharmacotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis in primary practice

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disorder, is characterised by chronic inflammation of the joints, synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion. These pathological features are promoted by a synovial microenvironment featuring B-cell and T-cell infiltrate, synovial fibroblasts and an intricate network of pro-inflammatory cellular messengers – prominent molecular role-players that represent critical targets in the pharmacotherapy of the disease. This review offers a brief overview of the etiopathology of rheumatoid arthritis while focussing on the practical aspects of methotrexate and glucocorticoid use that are of relevance for primary practice.