[Drug-induced remission in the severe progressive variant of rheumatoid arthritis]

Analysis of the remission incidence and duration has been made in 71 patients with severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the 10-20-year follow-up period, with special attention paid to the role of the disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs). Remission occurred only in those patients who received permanent long-term systematic treatment with DMARDs. Such a therapeutic approach resulted in remission lasting from 5 to 11 years for 32% of the patients. Otherwise the patients who received episodic non-regular DMARDs therapy or symptomatic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids had no remission at all. A detailed analysis of the cases of remission is presented. The authors are of the opinion that after the disappearance of the clinical signs of RA the maintenance basic therapy may be continued.