Treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis: hot topics

Abstract

The current treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is based on the principles of early aggressive therapy and tight control, which are summarized in «Treat-to-Target» recommendations. The draft RA treatment guidelines by the Association of Rheumatologists of Russia (ARR) reflect these principles in expanded form. Twenty-four ARR recommendations contain the detailed description of current treatments for RA, which relies on the principles of evidence-based medicine. Some practical issues for the management of patients with RA require special attention. The comparison of a number of randomized trials and the author’s experience in the REMARCA study may conclude that subcutaneous methotrexate (MTX) in an initial dose 10–15 mg/week with its fast increase up to 20Р30 mg/week is an optimal first-line therapy for RA. To choose the period within which a decision should be made on the incorporation of biologic agents (BA) in patients with an inadequate response to MTX is a serious matter. The experience gained in a number of clinical trials, particularly in those of etanercept, shows that a 12-week follow-up is sufficient in most patients. First of all, it is important for early RA. After achieving sustained remission, the reasonable tactics is to accurately reduce the dose of a BA although there may also be complete therapy discontinuation («treatment holiday») in the future.