Figure 1. Colored x-ray, rheumatoid arthritis.
The ACR Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the recently updated EULAR Recommendations for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis With Synthetic and Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs recommend monotherapy with a csDMARD (eg, hydroxychloroquine [HCQ], leflunomide [LEF], methotrexate [MTX], sulfasalazine [SSZ]) as the initial treatment for newly diagnosed patients with early RA—regardless of the level of disease activity. Both the ACR and EULAR prefer MTX as the initial csDMARD therapy.
Biologic DMARDs (eg, tumor necrosis factor [TNF] inhibitors etanercept and infliximab, interleukin-6 receptor inhibitors sarilumab and tocilizumab, anti–B-cell [CD20] antibody rituximab) and tsDMARDs (eg, Janus kinase inhibitors baricitinib, tofacitinib, and upadacitinib) are not recommended until a patient demonstrates an insufficient response to a conventional agent.
With respect to newly diagnosed patients with RA who are intolerant to MTX or in whom contraindications to MTX exist, initial therapy may involve HCQ, LEF, or SSZ.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, combination therapy with MTX and SSZ has not been shown to provide greater efficacy than either drug alone.
Learn more about initial treatment recommendations for newly diagnosed patients with RA.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Herbert S. Diamond. Fast Five Quiz: Rheumatoid Arthritis Management - Medscape - Jun 10, 2020.
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