RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - STATUS OF DRUG THERAPIES

This article describes the current drug therapies used to manage rheum atoid arthritis (RA). A brief description of the pathology, pathogenes is, and clinical features of RA is presented. The purpose of the artic le is to increase an awareness among physical therapists regarding the medications their patients might be taking and how these agents might influence the outcome of physical therapy intervention. The general a pproach to prescribing medication is presented according to the status of the disease. The attributes of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug s, corticosteroids, slow-acting antirheumatic drugs, and cytotoxic and experimental drugs used in RA are described. Given the potential bene fits, side effects, and adverse reactions of these potentially powerfu l medications, it is important for the physical therapist to monitor c losely what is happening to the patient with respect to the use or non use of the medication.