ABSTRACT
As recently as 10 years ago, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis would receive only a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and low-dose corticosteroids until damage to their joints was documented. Now, despite risks of toxicity and adverse effects, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug such as methotrexate is given as early as possible to retard disease progression and help prevent new erosions. Other agents can be added to or used in place of methotrexate, such as a biologic response modifier that regulates the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Footnotes
↵* The author has indicated that he has received grant or research support from the Abbott, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Millennium companies and has served as a consultant for Abbott, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Centocor, Genentech, Merck, Millennium, Roche, TAP, and Wyeth.
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