[Treat-to-target in rheumatology]

The treat-to target concept has been widely used in many chronic devastating disorders (like hypertension, diabetes meilitus, caraiovascuiar diseases) for many years. It has been initiated in the cardiovascular diseases treatment where, based on vast clinical databases, it had been proven that the achievement of certain therapeutical results (e.g. blood pressure lowering<140/90; target for HbAlc less than 7%; normalization of lipid concentration) lead to significant reduction of cardiovascular accidents and improved long-term prognosis.The main principles of treat-to-target concept are deeply rooted in the humanistic tradition and nature of medical science including: cooperation between doctor and patient based on mutual understanding, achievement of remission due to effective treatment, avoidance of damage and improvement of patient's quality of life. The principles of T2T were first applied in rheumatic diseases in 2010 to plan the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The application of T2T in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, where the achievement of remission or low disease activity can be quite accurately quantified, is now quite widespread. The principles forT2T application within ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and lately systemic lupus erythematosus have been desianed. This study is aimed at making the readers familiar with T2T concept and suggesting the ways of its clinical application.