Treatment and management of early RA: A primary care primer

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease to diagnose and manage. The classes of drugs that are used to treat RA are directed at the immune response that occurs during the disease process. Prompt initiation of pharmacologic treatment may delay or prevent disease progression. The primary care clinician is responsible for recognizing and diagnosing RA at its onset and for ensuring that patients receive prompt treatment to avoid debilitating and progressive joint damage. While a specialist in rheumatology will prescribe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for RA patients, the specialist and the primary care clinician share responsibility for monitoring patient progress, RA complications, and adverse effects of the drugs.