INFO - Raising expectations for arthritis treatment

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Postgraduate Medicine

November 2004

" Raising expectations for arthritis treatment " :

http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2004/11_04/comm_cohen.htm

Conclusion:

" New aggressive treatments have revolutionized the therapeutic strategies

available for rheumatoid arthritis and the spondyloarthropathies, and

significant improvements in outcomes are already possible. Best practice now

requires early diagnosis and treatment and, whenever possible, referral to a

rheumatologist for diagnostic confirmation and initiation of therapy with

DMARDs.

Interaction between primary care physicians and rheumatologists is

increasingly important to promote early, aggressive treatment, to change

treatment on the basis of the patient's response to therapy, and to

appropriately monitor and minimize toxicity. Expectations for successful

treatment are high--justifiably higher than ever before--and future

developments in diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities hold much promise. "

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org