[Management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in remission]

Remission is the main goal to achieve in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Several definitions of RA remission exist and are actually based on clinical and biological features. The last definition was obtained thanks to collaboration between European and American experts. Those definitions are nevertheless insufficient because of the persistence of sub clinical inflammation in a large percentage of patients as explored by ultrasound and MRI. In future, we can assume that remission definition may change taking into account ultrasound and/or MRI data. Acquiring a real remission for a long time is necessary to avoid relapse, structural progression and to discuss therapeutic strategies. Actually RA patients (less medication) practicians (decreased therapeutics and follow up) and society (decreased costs) are asking for decreased treatments for patients who are in remission. This objective seems to be achievable.