Current and emerging therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, with a focus on infliximab: clinical impact on joint damage and cost of care in canada.
Clin Ther
; 23(11): 1824-38; discussion 1791, 2001 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11768835
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a physically debilitating disease that places an enormous burden not only on individuals and their families but also on the economy. Affecting -1% of the Canadian population, RA is characterized by pain and swelling of joints. Without effective treatment, RA results in joint destruction that often requires surgery. OBJECTIVE: This review summarizes the effect of current and new RA treatments on joint damage, with a focus on infliximab. The health-economic repercussions and potential impact of arresting the joint destruction of RA are discussed. METHODS: Information for inclusion in this review was identified through searches of the MEDLINE and HealthStar databases from 1995 to 2000. Search terms included rheumatoid arthritis, treatment guidelines, economics, and individual drug names. RESULTS: Standard initial RA drug therapy has been aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, whereas use of the more potent disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has been reserved for later stages of disease. More aggressive RA treatment involves introducing DMARDs at the earliest stage. The largest single direct cost of RA involves hospital admissions for the correction of joint deformities. Among newer therapies, the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agent infliximab has been shown to arrest radiographic measures of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: With early and aggressive treatment involving new drugs and drug combinations, it may be possible to ameliorate the physical, social, and economic effects of RA.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Artritis Reumatoide
/
Deformidades Adquiridas de la Articulación
/
Antirreumáticos
/
Anticuerpos Monoclonales
Tipo de estudio:
Guideline
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Ther
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos