Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a report - "The use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for the management of rheumatoid arthritis". Disease and modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now considered first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When initiated early, they have been shown to alter the disease course and reduce joint erosion, reducing or preventing disability and improving quality of life. (AIHW catalogue number (PHE138) - 31 March 2011)