Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by synovitis and damage of bone and cartilage. The major goals of therapy in RA are to relieve pain, swelling of joints; improve joint function; stop joint damage, and
prevent
disability and disease-related morbidity. The past decade has seen a major transformation in the treatment of RA in terms of approach and choice of drugs. The previous therapeutic approach, termed the therapeutic pyramid, penerally involved
initial
conservative management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for several years; disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were withheld until clear evidence of erosions was seen. DMARDs were then added individually in slow
succession
as the disease progressed. This form of treatment has been supplanted by early initiation of DMARDs and combination DMARD therapy in patients with the potential for progressive disease. The idea of early intervention with DMARDs has been validated
in
several randomised trials. This paradigm shift partly resulted from unsatisfactory outcomes with the pyramid approach, and an increased awareness of the cost, lost productivity, morbidity, and decreased life expectancy associated with RA. These
findings
are the consequences of progressive disease, and have provided the impetus for development of more effective therapies to prevent joint destruction and maintain functional status. The continuing elucidation of pathophysiological pathways relevant
in RA,
coupled with advanced in biotechnology, offer substantial hopes for the development of potent and specific pharmacotherapy for RA.
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