Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
04:50
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Progression in early rheumatoid arthritis.
1Immuno-Rhumatologie, Hopital Lapeyronie, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier I University, Montpellier, France. b-combe@chu-montpellier.fr
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|February 24, 2009
Summary
Early, intensive treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is crucial for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management. Achieving remission prevents joint destruction and long-term disability in at-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with unpredictable progression.
- Most patients experience joint destruction, functional impairment, and increased mortality without effective management.
- Current RA management aims to prevent disease progression and achieve clinical remission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of early and intensive treatment strategies in rheumatoid arthritis.
- To highlight the benefits of achieving clinical remission for preventing structural damage and long-term disability.
- To underscore the necessity of close monitoring and adaptive treatment in RA management.
Main Methods:
- Review of current treatment paradigms for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Analysis of the efficacy of early and intensive disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapies.
- Evaluation of combination DMARDs, steroids, and biological therapies versus DMARD monotherapy.
Main Results:
- Early and effective DMARD use is critical for patients at risk of persistent, erosive arthritis.
- Intensive treatments (combination DMARDs, biologics) achieve higher remission rates and control radiological progression compared to DMARD monotherapy.
- These intensive strategies offer better outcomes in early RA, especially for at-risk individuals.
Conclusions:
- Achieving clinical remission is the primary goal in rheumatoid arthritis management.
- Early intervention with intensive treatment strategies, including combination DMARDs or biologics, is recommended for at-risk patients.
- Regular monitoring of disease activity and radiographic progression is essential for timely treatment adaptation.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:38Inflammation
Overview
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...