Medikamentöse therapie der rheumatoiden arthritis

The introduction of novel, very effective drugs in the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has not completely altered the general strategy but has led to a substantially improved situation for the affected patients. The current state-of-the-art includes non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs and low-dose steroids in combination with conventional disease-modifying drugs and biologics. However, owing to the complex character of the disease, a tight collaboration between the rheumatologist and the general practitioner is mandatory for the overall success of the long-term therapeutic regimen of the individual patient.