RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS-Current Therapy and Medical Management.

Although no routinely effective therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is available, certain established principles of management and a variety of medications do provide benefit. Conservative management programs may suffice in milder cases. Aspirin or other salicylates and physical therapy are the mainstays in such programs. The antimalarial drugs may be helpful in a small proportion of cases. Steroids have had beneficial effect rather consistently and, with the newer analogues, certain side effects have become less troublesome. The usual precautions with the use of these compounds must be observed as always. Chrysotherapy remains important in the treatment of severe cases, and its use should not be postponed until major destructive joint changes have occurred.