People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Have to Take Initiative

People who suspect that they may have rheumatoid arthritis have to take the initiative in fighting the condition, according to two leading rheumatologists.

Dr. David Karp, chief of rheumatic diseases at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, said the first step for people who suspect they have rheumatoid arthritis is to be evaluated by a physician.

"People should see a physician if discomfort in bones, joints or muscles lasts more than a few weeks or interferes with their daily routine," said Karp. "In many cases, a visit to a rheumatologist is needed to confirm the diagnosis and design customized treatment."

Dr. David Fox, a rheumatologist at the University of Michigan Health System, advises anyone who is experiencing joint pain or swelling for more than week to make an appointment with their health care provider.

"Generally, a primary care physician is first to see a patient with joint pain or swelling and if it seems to be something serious like rheumatoid arthritis, they may chose to refer the patient to a rheumatologist, who is a specialist in diseases of the joint," said Fox.

If it turns out they have rheumatoid arthritis, Karp said they should seek early and aggressive treatment for the disease, which can limit a person's ability to work and do every day activities.

Fox said the most effective drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate, or the more recently developed drugs that block the tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

"TNF is an inflammatory molecule that's produced inside the joint in rheumatoid arthritis and with the new medications available, we're able to neutralize that molecule." Fox explained.

According to Fox, there are three new TNF blocker drugs available in the United States to treat rheumatoid arthritis. While these new drugs are extremely effective, they are also the most expensive, he added.

Other sources: Univeristy of Michigan, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center