RESEARCH - Systematic DAS-driven therapy may improve RA outcomes

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Systematic DAS-Driven Therapy May Improve Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Medscape Medical News

Laurie Barclay, MD

January 4, 2010 — In patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis

receiving traditional treatment, treatment systematically driven by

Disease Activity Score (DAS) was associated with significantly better

clinical improvement and possibly with reduced progression of joint

damage, according to the results of a study reported in the January

2010 issue of ls of the Rheumatic Diseases.

" This study provides further evidence in support of the data that

objective assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and

using a goal to achieve a target disease activity state (such as low

disease activity state or remission) to make therapeutic decisions

leads to significant improvement in clinical outcomes for rheumatoid

arthritis patients, " Nasim A. Khan, MD, assistant professor of

rheumatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in

Little Rock, told Medscape Rheumatology when asked for independent

comment. " Unfortunately, most patients with rheumatoid arthritis in

routine clinical care are not evaluated objectively for disease

activity, and treatment decisions are made based on gestalt

impressions of the treating doctor. This study provides further

impetus to change such practices to improve clinical outcomes for

rheumatoid arthritis patients. "

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/714546

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