[Contribution of nurse-led clinics in the management of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis].

The goal of a nurse-led clinic in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients is to promote patient independence. Patient education and empowerment are efficacious tools for achieving this. The main nursing care roles are vigilance of physical symptoms, drug toxicity and co-morbidities; management of physical and psychological symptoms; to provide continuity of care. There is evidence supporting the effectiveness of nurse-led clinics and the economic benefits related to it.