Tapering biologic and conventional DMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: current evidence and future directions - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

. 2016 Aug;75(8):1428-37.

doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209201. Epub 2016 Jun 3.

Affiliations

Free article

Review

Tapering biologic and conventional DMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: current evidence and future directions

Georg Schett et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Aug.

Free article

Abstract

Improvements in the control of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have led to a substantial change in the clinical outcomes of patients during the last 30 years. Current treatment can lead to sustained remission in some patients raising questions about the optimal management strategies in this subgroup of patients. Today, tapering of DMARDs and even their discontinuation appears as an interesting concept for achieving a more tailored and dynamic treatment approach of RA, especially in patients, who achieved full disease control by DMARD treatment. In this review article, current developments of DMARD tapering are discussed. The article provides an overview of existing studies on this topic and addresses new strategies to reach drug-free remission. Furthermore, concepts for defining patients eligible for DMARD tapering are described and potential future strategies in using biomarkers in predicting the risk for disease relapse after initiation of DMARD tapering are addressed. These findings are finally considered in light of the vision to achieve cure as an ultimate goal in patients with RA achieving full control of inflammation.

Keywords: DMARDs (synthetic); Inflammation; Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources