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Delayed conventional DMARDs therapy is effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tasnim Ahsan1, Uzma Erum2, Danish Khowaja3
1Prof. Tasnim Ahsan, MRCP, FRCP, FRCP, FRCP. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Medical Unit-II, Rafiqee Shaheed Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences
|October 26, 2017
Summary
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) effectively reduced disease activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. Six months of DMARDs therapy led to remission or low disease activity in most RA patients, even in low-resource settings.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and potential joint damage.
- Assessing disease activity is crucial for effective RA management and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate baseline disease severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients.
- To determine the impact of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) therapy on disease activity (DA) after six months.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 111 RA patients at a Rheumatology Clinic.
- Disease activity was assessed using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score at baseline and after six months of DMARDs treatment.
Main Results:
- Initial mean CDAI score of 18.14 indicated moderate to severe RA.
- After six months of DMARDs therapy, the mean CDAI score decreased to 7.36, indicating remission or low disease activity.
- Mean Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) also significantly reduced from 59.63 mm/Hr to 39.5 mm/Hr.
Conclusions:
- DMARDs therapy effectively controlled disease activity in RA patients.
- A majority of patients achieved remission or low disease activity within six months.
- Conventional DMARDs therapy can successfully manage RA in low-resource healthcare settings with consistent follow-up and drug supply.
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