Recommendations
of Czech Rheumatological Society for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Efficacy and treatment strategies
Bečvář R., Vencovský J., Němec P.1, Suchý D.2, Procházková L.1, Pavelka K.
Revmatologický ústav, Praha 1Interní klinika, Fakultní nemocnice U svaté Anny, Brno 2Oddělení klinické farmakologie, Fakultní nemocnice, Plzeň |
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Summary:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology characterized by presence of
chronic symmetric synovitis, which leads to the formation of joint erosions. Generally recommended method
for activity assessment of RA is so called Disease Activity Score (DAS). In early RA when low disease
activity is present with oligo- or monoarthritis antimalarials are drugs of choice, while sulfasalazine
(SAS) is recommended in cases with medium activity without erosions. Initial treatment with methotrexate
(MTX) or leflunomide (LEF) should be applied in a very active polyarthritis with a rapid development
of erosions. MTX is often combined with other disease modifying drugs (DMARD) and the blockers
of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). LEF is to be administered to the patients in whom the other
DMARD are contraindicated or not tolerated. In established RA with oligo- or monoarthritis with permanent
low activity SAS is DMARD of choice. In cases with insufficient response and medium activity MTX
is used and if it is inefficient LEF or combination of DMARD should be considered. In a very active disease
with a rapid evolution of erosions high doses of MTX or LEF are recommended. When extraarticular
symptoms of RA are present azathioprine is to be applied and in case of involvement of vital organs cyclophosphamide
should be used. When DMARD are failing or contraindicated TNF-alpha blockers are to
be applied. When one TNF-alpha blocker is inefficient it should by replaced by another one from the same
group or another biological should be used. For indication of biologicals the activity limit is DAS28 5.1
and the decrease of DAS28 more than 1.2 is an efficacy criterion. Nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs are
an important part in the management of RA, and also corticosteroids are often of used in oral or parenteral
form. To the complex therapy of RA nonpharmacological means are usually implemented – different
physical procedures and various surgeries.
Key words:
rheumatoid arthritis, activity, disease modifying drugs, biological therapy
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