Medical Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lee, Young Ho; Song, Gwan Gyu

Review Article

Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society 1999;3(1):7-14.
Published online March 31, 1999.

Medical Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Young Ho Lee, Gwan Gyu Song

류마티스 관절염의 치료 Medical

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease and afflicts approximately 1% of general population. Once considered as a benign non-fatal disease, rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating condition with a serious physical, emotional, and economic consequences. Life expectancy is reduced among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and survival rates are comparable to those for three-vessel coronary disease Hodgkin's disease, and diabetes mellitus. For the past 20 years the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been developed on pyramid approach, which has had limited success. This led to a move towards using disease modifying antirheumatic drugs early in the disease. Future of rheumatoid arthritis tensive induction therapy, and treatment for resistant disease. This review will be focused on current principles and general guidelines of drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Key Words: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Treatment, Antirheumatic Drug