Current standards and future treatments of rheumatoid arthritis. (cover story)

BIOTHERAPY; ENZYME inhibitors; THERAPEUTIC use of monoclonal antibodies; CLINICAL trials; DRUG side effects; MEDICAL protocols; MONOCLONAL antibodies; HEALTH outcome assessment; RHEUMATOID arthritis; TREATMENT effectiveness; SEVERITY of illness index; DISEASE progression; INVESTIGATIONAL drugs; SYMPTOMS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system targets synovial joints and causes mild-to-severe joint disease with extra-articular manifestations. RA is associated with significant disability and socioeconomic costs because it is estimated to affect up to 1% of the adult population in the United States. Greater understanding of the process of RA has led to new treatments emerging for the disease that target its pathogenesis Instead of its symptoms. This review discusses the current standards of care and details the most recent data being collected on new pharmacologic agents for the treatment of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]