Optimal care for early RA patients: the challenge of translating scientific data into clinical practice

Although the evidence is clear and most rheumatologists agree that RA should be treated early and intensively, it obviously remains a challenge to put this paradigm into practice. Patient- as well as physician-related factors determine the delay before the disease is recognized and treated appropriately. There is still a need for education in this context. Optimal treatment allocation depends on the determination of prognostic factors, but should also take into account the patient's perspective to be effective. Patients' perceptions about the disease and its medical management need to be adjusted as soon as possible. Initiation of intensive or complex treatment regimens is most feasible in a clinical setting, where rheumatologists work together with other health-care professionals, such as nurse specialists. Until now there does not seem to have been a difference in terms of efficacy between intensive RA treatment strategies based on a combination of classical DMARDs with glucocorticoids or with TNF-blocking agents, but given the costs biologicals cannot be considered first-line therapy. More scientific work is needed to identify individuals that could benefit from biologicals early in the disease. Given the long-term benefits of rapid disease control, health authorities should consider investing in a better implementation of intensive treatment regimens based on combinations of classical DMARDs and glucocorticoids.