biologics, effective treatment to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease belonging to the group of autoimmune diseases, affecting predominantly the joints, but it can damage other organs such as the lungs, eyes or secreting glands. Its origin is completely unknown, although it is increasingly more confident that the combination of a genetic predisposition to trigger external factors such as snuff, or certain (periodontal and lung, mainly) infections is needed.

Main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis usually manifested by pain and inflammation of many articulacione s at once. Predominant inflammation of the small joints of the hands and feet, although it can affect any joint locomotor. Often it accompanied by feeling of stiffness when getting up in the morning, and can even lead to a picture of fever, weight loss or lack of appetite, which can reach suggest the presence of a neoplastic disease.

Treatments available to deal with rheumatoid arthritis and slow its progress: biologics

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has changed radically in the last 15 years and, today, we can safely say that we are able to completely halt the disease. Drugs home remain soft immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or leflunomide, but the line of available biological drugs currently allow, if the former are not effective enough, stop the inflammatory process and that the person who suffers you can lead a completely normal life.

Undoubtedly biological drugs available today can "induce remission", ie completely stop inflammation and damage progression, provided they are used by the specialist in rheumatology at the right time (with the not very advanced disease ) and being aware of their efficacy and safety.

Prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis depends greatly on the time of diagnosis if the disease is identified within weeks of evolution, the probability is very high stop. However, in late cases, with months or years of evolution, although treatments are still undoubtedly useful, the likelihood of completely stop the disease and prevent sequels, substantially lower. Nevertheless, the current prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis is good, in most cases is avoided progress towards disability, and may get people who have it make a normal life.