Optimizing outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis

A chronic systemic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis can cause progressive joint destruction, deformity, disability, and premature death. Pain management is an important component of patient care, and short-term opioid analgesics should be considered in those with severe arthritis pain. Treatment with DMARDs should be initiated early in the course of the disease to control synovitis and disease progression. Biological therapies that block specific cytokines are important advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.