[Rational therapeutic approach in rheumatoid arthritis]

The natural course of rheumatoid arthritis inevitably leads to joint damage and reduced life expectancy. Therefore, active treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is indispensable. Although the etiology still remains unknown resulting in unsuccessful prophylaxis and incurability of rheumatoid arthritis, learning more about its pathophysiology broadens the spectrum of therapeutic possibilities. The aim of treatment is remission of the disease. Current standards of treatment are based on the idea to start aggressive treatment as early as possible to suppress the activity of the disease. This can be achieved by pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is supplementary but there is no room for spa treatment or alternative therapies. Treatment should be introduced immediately because the "window" for successful change in the natural course of the disease covers the first three months since onset. Diagnostic difficulties during this period support the idea of "early arthritis" and "early rheumatoid arthritis". Glycocorticosteroids at a dose suitable to suppress inflammation represent the first-line treatment. Basic therapy which usually is synonymous for methotrexate 15-25 mg once weekly should be introduced from the 4th month at the latest. In case of methotrexate intolerance, leflunomide is an alternative. Lack of efficacy of monotherapy with these drugs mandates the combination therapy of methotrexate with leflunomide, cyclosporine or sulphasalazine together with hydroxychlorochine. The use of two latter drugs should be limited due to their low efficacy. Patients refractory to combination therapy should be considered as candidates to anticytokine drugs or to lymphocyte B depleting drugs. However, it should be emphasized that their high efficacy is achieved only in combination with full doses of methotrexate. The same rules should be applied to therapeutic decisions in elderly patients and in patients with long history of rheumatoid arthritis. However, lower doses of the drugs should be used at initiation of therapy. Contraindications related to side effects and concomitant diseases should be considered. In these groups, glycocorticosteroids play a more important role and cyclophosphamide is used more frequently. Surgical treatment should be reserved for patients with advanced disease. Total joint replacement is an effective method for large joints. Synovectomy should be done only exceptionally when all options of pharmacotherapy were ineffective.