Rheumatoid arthritis: early treatment with corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 2014

Gary Ruoff
Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Family Practice, Michigan State University College of Medicine; Director of Clinical Research, Westside Family Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI, USA.

The family physician plays several important roles in the management of patients with RA by early diagnosis of RA, with initiation of synthetic DMARD therapy, and in long-term follow-up to minimize complications of DMARD therapy and its impact on patient comorbidities. Three recently approved products offer some benefit as adjunctive therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005938 Glucocorticoids A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system. Glucocorticoid,Glucocorticoid Effect,Glucorticoid Effects,Effect, Glucocorticoid,Effects, Glucorticoid
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000894 Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory agents that are non-steroidal in nature. In addition to anti-inflammatory actions, they have analgesic, antipyretic, and platelet-inhibitory actions. They act by blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid to cyclic endoperoxides, precursors of prostaglandins. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis accounts for their analgesic, antipyretic, and platelet-inhibitory actions; other mechanisms may contribute to their anti-inflammatory effects. Analgesics, Anti-Inflammatory,Aspirin-Like Agent,Aspirin-Like Agents,NSAID,Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent,Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents,Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent,Anti Inflammatory Agents, Nonsteroidal,Antiinflammatory Agents, Non Steroidal,Antiinflammatory Agents, Nonsteroidal,NSAIDs,Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents,Agent, Aspirin-Like,Agent, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory,Agent, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory,Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Non-Steroidal,Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Nonsteroidal,Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics,Aspirin Like Agent,Aspirin Like Agents,Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Agent,Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Agents,Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Agent,Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Agents,Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents
D000897 Anti-Ulcer Agents Various agents with different action mechanisms used to treat or ameliorate PEPTIC ULCER or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. This has included ANTIBIOTICS to treat HELICOBACTER INFECTIONS; HISTAMINE H2 ANTAGONISTS to reduce GASTRIC ACID secretion; and ANTACIDS for symptomatic relief. Anti-Ulcer Drugs,Agents, Anti-Ulcer,Anti Ulcer Agents,Anti Ulcer Drugs,Drugs, Anti-Ulcer
D001172 Arthritis, Rheumatoid A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D042241 Early Diagnosis Methods to determine in patients the nature of a disease or disorder at its early stage of progression. Generally, early diagnosis improves PROGNOSIS and TREATMENT OUTCOME. Early Detection of Disease,Diagnosis, Early,Disease Early Detection

Related Publications

Gary Ruoff
April 1980, The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics,
Gary Ruoff
July 2005, Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien,
Gary Ruoff
January 2004, The Cochrane database of systematic reviews,
Gary Ruoff
October 2008, Nihon Naika Gakkai zasshi. The Journal of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!