Combo Treatment Best for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Reported October 31, 2005

Combo Treatment Best for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

A new study out of the Netherlands suggests early rheumatoid

arthritis (RA) is best treated more aggressively with a combination

of proven drugs.

Researchers note treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in recent years

has migrated from a simple attempt to alleviate symptoms to

strategies aimed at preventing long-term damage to the joints and

organs. With so many new treatments available, doctors have been

unsure which are best for people newly diagnosed with the condition.

In this study, investigators compared four different strategies:

standard treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

(DMARDs), sequential therapy beginning with a DMARD and adding

additional DMARDs and prednisone, a combination therapy consisting of

DMARDs and prednisone, and a combination therapy consisting of a

DMARD and the drug infliximab.

Results show all the strategies help people with the disease, with 32

percent reaching clinical remission. Those receiving the two

combination therapies fared significantly better, with less

progression of the disease and greater functional improvements.

Study authors say, " During the first year of follow up, patients with

newly diagnosed RA who received initial combination therapy with

either prednisone or infliximab had earlier function improvement,

with less progression of radiographic joint damage and no more side

effects than patients who receive sequential monotherapy or step-up

combination therapy. "

SOURCE: Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2005;52:3381-3390