REVIEW - Prevention and cure of RA: is it possible?

[Guest guest]

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Jun;24(3):353-61.

Prevention and cure of rheumatoid arthritis: is it possible?

Machold KP.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical

University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.

Klaus.

Abstract

Advances in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have made it possible to

profoundly influence signs and symptoms as well as the course of joint

destruction in inflammatory arthritis. Earlier and more efficient

treatment appears to significantly improve the prognosis of this

disease. Despite these advances, cure (the absence of signs and

symptoms without further treatment) is still relatively rare,

observable in, at most, 20% of the patients. Remission (or a state of

very low disease activity), however, has been observed with intense

and individually tailored treatment in up to 75% of patients. The use

of structured assessments followed by individual modification of the

intensity of treatment aiming for remission leads to better clinical

responses and radiological outcomes. It remains to be seen whether

earlier and more aggressive treatment of patients with not yet 'fully

established' rheumatoid arthritis may succeed in preventing at least

some of them from progressing to destructive arthritis.

PMID: 20534369

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20534369

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

On Enbrel, I seem to be in a medication-induced remission of sorts. I

have no pain from RA, and can't really tell that I have it now, since

I have no flares. (Knock on wood.) I have no joint damage. I'm doing

fine injecting once a week instead of the prescribed twice a week.

When a went on an Enbrel vacation recently for three weeks, I didn't

really show signs of RA.

And I can remember how terrible my RA was at the beginning. I couldn't

cut my own meat, open a bottle or jar, or squeeze out a washcloth. I

am very thankful for Enbrel.

Sue

On Aug 2, 2010, at 8:15 PM, wrote:

>

> Advances in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have made it possible to

> profoundly influence signs and symptoms as well as the course of joint

> destruction in inflammatory arthritis. Earlier and more efficient

> treatment appears to significantly improve the prognosis of this

> disease.