Rheumatoid Arthritis

Translating research into clinical practice. Arthritis Research & Therapy is a leading journal in the field of rheumatology and is notable for the breadth and quality of articles on the broad range of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The journal is edited by renowned scholars and provi…
arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com

The art of managing expectations: “Under-Promise and Over-Deliver”😊

● On efficacy: “It works quick and great for the majority, but some respond better to a different therapy. The test of the pudding is in the eating.”
● On safety: “Side-effects are uncommon, but being aware, and with close monitoring, they can be managed.”
● On convenience: “It’s 2 infusions a year. ” or “It’s a painless monthly auto-injection” or “It’s oral for easy storage and titration.”
● On cost: “Bite the bullet. 3 months as bridging/induction therapy for most, maybe 6 for some, or taper for maintenence if can’t stop.”
● On cure: “15-20% may be able to go off all drugs, if aggressively treated to full remission within 3 months from symptoms onset.”

These are not glib sales talk. They are what I believe, how I practise, and typify the outcomes I achieve.


Disease activity guided dose reduction and withdrawal of adalimumab or etanercept compared with usual care in rheumatoid arthritis

Research Disease activity guided dose reduction and withdrawal of adalimumab or etanercept compared with usual care in rheumatoid arthritis: open label,…
www.bmj.com

Tapering or stopping biologics is more cost-effective than continuous usage, achievable in two-thirds of RA patients.


Dr Kevin Deane looks back at the biggest advances in rheumatology in 2015.
www.medscape.com