Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
DMARD Treatments Needed to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mar 29, 2009
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is crippling and there is no cure for it at this time. For these two reasons, it is important that this disease be identified and treated as early as possible. Slowing the progression of the degeneration and controlling the pain are the two primary goals of treatment.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs Explained
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD's) are the focus of treatment that addresses constant pain and inflammations of the lung, heart and eye.
Pain control is very important for someone who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs slow down the speed at which bone and cartilage is damaged.
Since the bone damage done by rheumatic illness is irreversible, this is very important. A single corticosteroid injection can stop the inflammation in the membranes that line a joint or tendon for a long time if administered early enough. If the disease is suspected, an appointment with a rheumatologist should be made as soon as possible.
A rheumatologist is required to diagnose and treat rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists specialize in conditions involving muscles, joints and bones and are privy to the most recent and effective treatment modalities for them.
For example, X-rays, which were the primary assessment tool for so many years, failed to show joint degeneration that could be clearly seen with newer technologies.
The impact of a delay of treatment for even a few months after the initial onset can result in more severe disability later. Early, effective application of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs can make a huge difference in long term outcomes for those with RA.
The Impacts of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
DMARD benefits come with a price tag. Toxicity issues concerning liver, bone marrow, renal, and autoimmunity systems are experienced to varying degrees by persons taking any combination of the small molecular mass drugs. Of the nine chemically synthesized DMARDs, hydroxychloroquine may be the least toxic but it is also too weak to control RA symptoms alone.
It has to be used in conjunction with other, more powerful, drugs. Methotrexate may be the most effective due to the low treatment drop-out rate. Close monitoring of all systems through blood tests and other measures is an integral part of managing rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Since rheumatoid arthritis is progressive from onset and substantially disabling after 10 years, the benefits of using disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs to slow the disease outweigh the possible side effects in most cases.
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References:
Hopkins-arthritis.org
NIH
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