Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, can’t be cured, but it can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes. Since symptom improvement may be gradual or ebb and flow, it might be hard to gauge whether you’re on the right regimen.
Those who adhere to RA treatment are less likely to experience more serious complications, disabilities, and illnesses in the future. By maintaining your treatment regimen now, you can enjoy a more comfortable and independent life for years to come.
Dr. Blazer is a rheumatologist and instructor in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Health.
References
Ajeganova, S, et al. (2017). Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis: latest evidence and clinical considerations. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease.
Arthritis Foundation. (2022). How RA inflammation affects your heart.
Arthritis Foundation. (2021). Rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Nagy, G., et al. (2015). Sustained biologic-free and drug-free remission in rheumatoid arthritis, where are we now? Arthritis research & therapy.
Salt E, et al. (2010). Adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a narrative review of the literature. Orthopedic Nurse.
Van den Bemt, BJ, et al. (2009). Adherence rates and associations with nonadherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. The Journal of Rheumatology.
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