Early Diagnosis and Therapy of Rheumathoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, systemic disease where most visible changes are in the joints that lead to the damage, which ultimately results in loss of function. In order to reduce damage to the joints it is necessary to diagnose early, before the appearance of erosion and to include adequate therapy. The problem is the lack of criteria for diagnosing the beginning of disease. Modified classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology are not sensitive for the diagnosis at an early stage. It takes great knowledge and experience of rheumatologist to determine the existence of inflammatory arthritis, to exclude other possible arthritis, to determine the risk of developing persistent, erosive arthritis and that in time that is designated as a “window of opportunity” propose an optimal therapeutic strategy. EULAR has given recommendations for managing early rheumatoid arthritis.