Treat to Target in Rheumatology: A Historical Account on Occasion of the 10th Anniversary.

Chronic immune-mediated rheumatic diseases are characterized by inflammatory signs and symptoms, damage to joints, or spine and physical disability. In all these diseases the adverse outcomes are related to the degree of the inflammatory response and the duration of the high inflammatory situation. A state in which inflammation is minimized or eliminated is the therapeutic goal, but the time to reach such a state is also essential. Repeated treatment adaptations in the course of regular clinical assessments of disease activity are essential until the desired, predefined state is achieved. This approach constitutes the treat-to-target concept.