AIM To determine the scope of acute hypoglycemic effects for certain anti-rheumatic medications in a large retrospective observational study. METHODS Patients enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VAR...AIM To determine the scope of acute hypoglycemic effects for certain anti-rheumatic medications in a large retrospective observational study. METHODS Patients enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry were selected who, during follow-up, initiated treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi's, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, or certolizumab), prednisone, or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs), and for whom proximate random blood glucose (RBG) measurements were available within a window 2-wk prior to, and 6 mo following, medication initiation. Similar data were obtained for patients with proximate values available for glycosylated hemoglobin A1C values within a window 2 mo preceding, and 12 mo following, medication initiation. RBG and A1C measurements were compared before and after initiation events using paired t-tests, and multivariate regression analysis was performed including established comorbidities and demographics.RESULTS Two thousands one hundred and eleven patients contributed at least one proximate measurement surrounding the initiation of any examined medication. A significant decrease in RBG was noted surrounding 653 individual hydroxychloroquine-initiation events(-3.68 mg/dL, P = 0.04), while an increase was noted for RBG surrounding 665 prednisone-initiation events(+5.85 mg/d L, P < 0.01). A statistically significant decrease in A1C was noted for sulfasalazine initiation, as measured by 49 individual initiation events(-0.70%, P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analyses, using methotrexate as the referent, suggest sulfasalazine (β =-0.58, P = 0.01) and hydroxychloroquine(β =-5.78, P = 0.01) use as predictors of lower post-medicationinitiation RBG and A1C values, respectively. Analysis by drug class suggested prednisone (or glucocorticoids) as predictive of higher medication-initiation event RBG among all start events as compared to DMARDs, while this analysis did not show any drug class-level effect for TNFi. A diagnosis of congestive heart failure(β = 4.69, P = 0.03) was predictive for higher post-initiation RBG values among all medication-initiation events.CONCLUSION No statistically significant hypoglycemic effects surrounding TNFi initiation were observed in this large cohort. Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine may have epidemiologically significant acute hypoglycemic effects.展开更多
The management of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in the past three decades has undergone a paradigm shift from symptomatic relief to a "treat-to-target" approach. This has been possible through use of various conv...The management of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in the past three decades has undergone a paradigm shift from symptomatic relief to a "treat-to-target" approach. This has been possible through use of various conventional and biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs) which target disease pathogenesis at a molecular level. Cost and infection risk preclude regular use of biologics in resource-constrained settings. In therecent years, evidence has emerged that combination therapy with conventional DMARDs is not inferior to biologics in the management of RA and is a feasible cost-effective option.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of the biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs(b DMARD) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through a systematic review of observational studies.METHODS:The studies were...AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of the biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs(b DMARD) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through a systematic review of observational studies.METHODS:The studies were searched in the Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and LILACS databases(until August 2014),in the grey literature and conducted a manual search.The assessed criteria of effectiveness included the EULAR,the disease activity score(DAS),the Clinical Disease Activity Index,the Simplified Disease Activity Index,the American College of Rheumatology and the Health Assessment Questionnaire.The meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.2 software using a random effects model.A total of 35 studies were included in this review.RESULTS:The participants anti-tumor necrosis factor inhibitors(TNF) nave,who used adalimumab(P = 0.0002) and etanercept(P = 0.0006) exhibited greater good EULAR response compared to the participants who used infliximab.No difference was detected between adalimumab and etanercept(P = 0.05).The participants who used etanercept exhibited greater remission according to DAS28 compared to the participants who used infliximab(P = 0.01).No differences were detected between adalimumab and infliximab(P = 0.12) or etanercept(P = 0.79).Better results were obtained with b DMARD associated with methotrexate than with b DMARD alone.The good EULAR response and DAS 28 was better for combination with methotrexate than b DMARD monotherapy(P = 0.03 e P < 0.00001).In cases of therapeutic failure,the participants who used rituximab exhibited greater DAS28 reduction compared to those who used anti-TNF agents(P = 0.0002).The participants who used etanercept achieved greater good EULAR response compared to those who did not use that drug(P = 0.007).Studies that assessed reduction of the CDAI score indicated the superiority of abatacept over rituximab(12.4 vs +1.7) and anti-TNF agents(7.6 vs 8.3).The present systematic review with meta-analysis found that relative to anti-TNF treatmentnave patients,adalimumab and etanercept were more effective when combined with methotrexate than when used alone.Furthermore,in case of therapeutic failure with anti-TNF agents;rituximab and abatacept(non anti-TNF) and etanercept(as second anti-TNF) were more effective.However,more studies of effectiveness were found for the rituximab.CONCLUSION:The best treatment for treatment-nave patients is adalimumab or etanercept combined with methotrexate.For anti-TNF therapeutic failure,the best choice is rituximab,abatacept or etanercept.展开更多
The systemic therapies available for the management of Psoriasis (PsO) patients who cannot be treated with more conservative options, such as topical agents and/or phototherapy, with the exception of acitretin, can wo...The systemic therapies available for the management of Psoriasis (PsO) patients who cannot be treated with more conservative options, such as topical agents and/or phototherapy, with the exception of acitretin, can worsen or reactivate a chronic infection. Therefore, before administering immunosuppressive therapies with either conventional disease-modifying drugs (cDMARDs) or biological ones (bDMARDs) it is mandatory to screen patients for some infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In particular, the patients eligible to receive an immunosuppressive drug must be screened for the following markers: antibody to hepatitis B core, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg), HBsAg, and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). In case HBV or HCV infection is diagnosed, a close collaboration with a consultant hepatologist is needed before and during an immunosuppressive therapy. Concerning therapy with immunosuppressive drugs in PsO patients with HBV or HCV infection, data exist mainly for cyclosporine a (CyA) or bDMARDs (etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab). The natural history of HBV and HCV infection differs significantly as well as the effect of immunosuppression on the aforementioned infectious diseases. As a rule, in the case of active HBV infection, systemic immunosuppressive antipsoriatic therapies must be deferred until the infection is controlled with an adequate antiviral treatment. Inactive carriers need to receive antiviral prophylaxis 2-4 wk before starting immunosuppressive therapy, to be continued after 6-12 mo from its suspension. Due to the risk of HBV reactivation, these patients should be monitored monthly for the first 3 mo and then every 3 mo for HBV DNA load together with transaminases levels. Concerning the patients who are occult HBV carriers, the risk of HBV reactivation is very low. Therefore, these patients generally do not need antiviral prophylaxis and the sera HBsAg and transaminases dosing can be monitored every 3 mo. Concerning PsO patients with chronic HCV infection their management with immunosuppressive drugs is less problematic as compared to those infected by HBV. In fact, HCV reactivation is an extremely rare event after administration of drugs such as CyA or tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. As a rule, these patients can be monitored measuring HCV RNA load, and ALT, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl-transferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin and platelet every 3-6 mo. The present article provides an updated overview based on more recently reported data on monitoring and managing PsO patients who need systemic antipsoriatic treatment and have HBV or HCV infection as comorbidity.展开更多
AIM To evaluate the outcomes in biological treatment and quality of life of psoriatic patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC) treated with new Direct-Acting Antiviral agents(DAAs) compared to pegylated interferon-2α p...AIM To evaluate the outcomes in biological treatment and quality of life of psoriatic patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC) treated with new Direct-Acting Antiviral agents(DAAs) compared to pegylated interferon-2α plus ribavirin(P/R) therapy.METHODS This is a retrospective study involving psoriatic patients in biological therapy who underwent anti-hepatitis C virus(HCV) treatment at the Department of Dermatology Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute Milan, Italy from January 2010 to November 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: patients that underwent therapy with DAAs and patients that underwent HCV treatment with P/R. Patients were assessed by a dermatologist for psoriasis symptoms, collecting Psoriasis Area Severity Index(PASI) scores and the Dermatology Quality of Life Index(DLQI). PASI and DLQI scores were evaluated 24 wk after the end of HCV treatment and were assumed as an outcome of the progression of psoriasis. Switching to a different b DMARD was considered as an inadequate response to biological therapy. The dropout of HCV therapy and sustained virological response(SVR) were considered as outcomes of HCV therapy.RESULTS Fifty-nine psoriatic patients in biological therapy underwent antiviral therapy for CHC. Of this, 27 patients were treated with DAAs and 32 with P/R. After 24 wk post treatment, the DLQI and the PASI scores were significantly lower(P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively) in the DAAs group compared with P/R group. None of the patients in the DAAs group(0/27) compared to 8 patients of the P/R group(8/32) needed a shift in biological treatment.CONCLUSION DAAs seem to be more effective and safe than P/R in HCV-positive psoriatic patients on biological treatment. Fewer dermatological adverse events may be due to interferon-free therapy.展开更多
Background:Clinical remission is the treatment target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).This study aimed to investigate clinical remission and related factors in a large cohort of patients with RA.Methods:This study compos...Background:Clinical remission is the treatment target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).This study aimed to investigate clinical remission and related factors in a large cohort of patients with RA.Methods:This study composed of 342 patients with RA.Data were collected by face-to-face interview of 1049 patients with RA who visited the Department of Rheumatology of three teaching hospitals from September 2015 to May 2016.The patients with RA were clinically assessed by rheumatologists and a four-page questionnaire was completed on site.Subsequently,patients fulfilled remission criteria were further analyzed.The practicability of different definitions of remission of RA was rated by a panel of rheumatologists.Sustained intensive disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment was defined as a combination treatment with two or more DMARDs for at least 6 months.Results:In this cohort of 342 patients with RA,the proportions of patients achieving remission were 38.0%,29.5%,24.9%,21.1%,19.0%,18.1%,and 17.0%,based on criteria of disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) using CRP (DAS28-CRP),DAS28 using ESR (DAS28-ESR),routine assessment of patient index data 3 (RAPID-3),Boolean,simplified disease activity index (SDAI),clinical disease activity index,and the newly described clinical deep remission (CliDR),respectively.Boolean and CliDR are the best in practicability scored by rheumatologists (7.5 and 8.0,respectively).Compared with the non-sustained intensive group,sustained intensive treatment with DMARDs yielded higher remission rates of 25.6%,23.8%,and 21.3% in patients with RA based on Boolean (χ^2=3.937,P=0.047),SDAI (χ^2=4.666,P=0.031),and CliDR criteria (χ^2=4.297,P=0.038).The most commonly prescribed conventional synthesized DMARDs (csDMARDs) in patients with RA was leflunomide,followed by methotrexate,and hydroxychloroquine.Compared with the non-remission group,patients achieving remission had a longer median duration of DMARDs (45.0 [22.8–72.3] months,Z=-2.295,P=0.022).Conclusions:The findings in this study indicated that clinical deep remission is achievable in patients with RA.Sustained intensive DMARD treatment is needed to achieve a better outcome in RA.展开更多
A 30-year-old female patient with coexisting ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed and treated. The human leukocyte antigen （HLA）-B27 is a predisposing factor of ankylosing spondylitis and HL...A 30-year-old female patient with coexisting ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed and treated. The human leukocyte antigen （HLA）-B27 is a predisposing factor of ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-DR4 is a predisposing factor of rheumatoid arthritis. This patient was HLA-B27 and HLA-DR4 positive, and ankylosing spondylitis manifested before rheumatoid arthritis. After disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs successfully arrested ankylosing spondylitis activity the patient conceived and delivered a healthy baby. One year later, she developed peripheral polyarthritis and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. We hypothesized that pregnancy may be one of the environmental factors that can activate rheumatoid arthritis, and that disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs play an important role in keeping the disease under control.展开更多
基金Supported by VA HSR&D MERIT Award IIR,No.14-048-3 for Dr Caplansupported by a VA GME Enhancement Award
文摘AIM To determine the scope of acute hypoglycemic effects for certain anti-rheumatic medications in a large retrospective observational study. METHODS Patients enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry were selected who, during follow-up, initiated treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi's, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, or certolizumab), prednisone, or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs), and for whom proximate random blood glucose (RBG) measurements were available within a window 2-wk prior to, and 6 mo following, medication initiation. Similar data were obtained for patients with proximate values available for glycosylated hemoglobin A1C values within a window 2 mo preceding, and 12 mo following, medication initiation. RBG and A1C measurements were compared before and after initiation events using paired t-tests, and multivariate regression analysis was performed including established comorbidities and demographics.RESULTS Two thousands one hundred and eleven patients contributed at least one proximate measurement surrounding the initiation of any examined medication. A significant decrease in RBG was noted surrounding 653 individual hydroxychloroquine-initiation events(-3.68 mg/dL, P = 0.04), while an increase was noted for RBG surrounding 665 prednisone-initiation events(+5.85 mg/d L, P < 0.01). A statistically significant decrease in A1C was noted for sulfasalazine initiation, as measured by 49 individual initiation events(-0.70%, P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analyses, using methotrexate as the referent, suggest sulfasalazine (β =-0.58, P = 0.01) and hydroxychloroquine(β =-5.78, P = 0.01) use as predictors of lower post-medicationinitiation RBG and A1C values, respectively. Analysis by drug class suggested prednisone (or glucocorticoids) as predictive of higher medication-initiation event RBG among all start events as compared to DMARDs, while this analysis did not show any drug class-level effect for TNFi. A diagnosis of congestive heart failure(β = 4.69, P = 0.03) was predictive for higher post-initiation RBG values among all medication-initiation events.CONCLUSION No statistically significant hypoglycemic effects surrounding TNFi initiation were observed in this large cohort. Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine may have epidemiologically significant acute hypoglycemic effects.
文摘The management of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in the past three decades has undergone a paradigm shift from symptomatic relief to a "treat-to-target" approach. This has been possible through use of various conventional and biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs) which target disease pathogenesis at a molecular level. Cost and infection risk preclude regular use of biologics in resource-constrained settings. In therecent years, evidence has emerged that combination therapy with conventional DMARDs is not inferior to biologics in the management of RA and is a feasible cost-effective option.
基金Supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico,Brazil
文摘AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of the biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs(b DMARD) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through a systematic review of observational studies.METHODS:The studies were searched in the Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and LILACS databases(until August 2014),in the grey literature and conducted a manual search.The assessed criteria of effectiveness included the EULAR,the disease activity score(DAS),the Clinical Disease Activity Index,the Simplified Disease Activity Index,the American College of Rheumatology and the Health Assessment Questionnaire.The meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.2 software using a random effects model.A total of 35 studies were included in this review.RESULTS:The participants anti-tumor necrosis factor inhibitors(TNF) nave,who used adalimumab(P = 0.0002) and etanercept(P = 0.0006) exhibited greater good EULAR response compared to the participants who used infliximab.No difference was detected between adalimumab and etanercept(P = 0.05).The participants who used etanercept exhibited greater remission according to DAS28 compared to the participants who used infliximab(P = 0.01).No differences were detected between adalimumab and infliximab(P = 0.12) or etanercept(P = 0.79).Better results were obtained with b DMARD associated with methotrexate than with b DMARD alone.The good EULAR response and DAS 28 was better for combination with methotrexate than b DMARD monotherapy(P = 0.03 e P < 0.00001).In cases of therapeutic failure,the participants who used rituximab exhibited greater DAS28 reduction compared to those who used anti-TNF agents(P = 0.0002).The participants who used etanercept achieved greater good EULAR response compared to those who did not use that drug(P = 0.007).Studies that assessed reduction of the CDAI score indicated the superiority of abatacept over rituximab(12.4 vs +1.7) and anti-TNF agents(7.6 vs 8.3).The present systematic review with meta-analysis found that relative to anti-TNF treatmentnave patients,adalimumab and etanercept were more effective when combined with methotrexate than when used alone.Furthermore,in case of therapeutic failure with anti-TNF agents;rituximab and abatacept(non anti-TNF) and etanercept(as second anti-TNF) were more effective.However,more studies of effectiveness were found for the rituximab.CONCLUSION:The best treatment for treatment-nave patients is adalimumab or etanercept combined with methotrexate.For anti-TNF therapeutic failure,the best choice is rituximab,abatacept or etanercept.
文摘The systemic therapies available for the management of Psoriasis (PsO) patients who cannot be treated with more conservative options, such as topical agents and/or phototherapy, with the exception of acitretin, can worsen or reactivate a chronic infection. Therefore, before administering immunosuppressive therapies with either conventional disease-modifying drugs (cDMARDs) or biological ones (bDMARDs) it is mandatory to screen patients for some infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In particular, the patients eligible to receive an immunosuppressive drug must be screened for the following markers: antibody to hepatitis B core, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg), HBsAg, and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). In case HBV or HCV infection is diagnosed, a close collaboration with a consultant hepatologist is needed before and during an immunosuppressive therapy. Concerning therapy with immunosuppressive drugs in PsO patients with HBV or HCV infection, data exist mainly for cyclosporine a (CyA) or bDMARDs (etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab). The natural history of HBV and HCV infection differs significantly as well as the effect of immunosuppression on the aforementioned infectious diseases. As a rule, in the case of active HBV infection, systemic immunosuppressive antipsoriatic therapies must be deferred until the infection is controlled with an adequate antiviral treatment. Inactive carriers need to receive antiviral prophylaxis 2-4 wk before starting immunosuppressive therapy, to be continued after 6-12 mo from its suspension. Due to the risk of HBV reactivation, these patients should be monitored monthly for the first 3 mo and then every 3 mo for HBV DNA load together with transaminases levels. Concerning the patients who are occult HBV carriers, the risk of HBV reactivation is very low. Therefore, these patients generally do not need antiviral prophylaxis and the sera HBsAg and transaminases dosing can be monitored every 3 mo. Concerning PsO patients with chronic HCV infection their management with immunosuppressive drugs is less problematic as compared to those infected by HBV. In fact, HCV reactivation is an extremely rare event after administration of drugs such as CyA or tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. As a rule, these patients can be monitored measuring HCV RNA load, and ALT, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl-transferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin and platelet every 3-6 mo. The present article provides an updated overview based on more recently reported data on monitoring and managing PsO patients who need systemic antipsoriatic treatment and have HBV or HCV infection as comorbidity.
文摘AIM To evaluate the outcomes in biological treatment and quality of life of psoriatic patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC) treated with new Direct-Acting Antiviral agents(DAAs) compared to pegylated interferon-2α plus ribavirin(P/R) therapy.METHODS This is a retrospective study involving psoriatic patients in biological therapy who underwent anti-hepatitis C virus(HCV) treatment at the Department of Dermatology Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute Milan, Italy from January 2010 to November 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: patients that underwent therapy with DAAs and patients that underwent HCV treatment with P/R. Patients were assessed by a dermatologist for psoriasis symptoms, collecting Psoriasis Area Severity Index(PASI) scores and the Dermatology Quality of Life Index(DLQI). PASI and DLQI scores were evaluated 24 wk after the end of HCV treatment and were assumed as an outcome of the progression of psoriasis. Switching to a different b DMARD was considered as an inadequate response to biological therapy. The dropout of HCV therapy and sustained virological response(SVR) were considered as outcomes of HCV therapy.RESULTS Fifty-nine psoriatic patients in biological therapy underwent antiviral therapy for CHC. Of this, 27 patients were treated with DAAs and 32 with P/R. After 24 wk post treatment, the DLQI and the PASI scores were significantly lower(P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively) in the DAAs group compared with P/R group. None of the patients in the DAAs group(0/27) compared to 8 patients of the P/R group(8/32) needed a shift in biological treatment.CONCLUSION DAAs seem to be more effective and safe than P/R in HCV-positive psoriatic patients on biological treatment. Fewer dermatological adverse events may be due to interferon-free therapy.
基金the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.31530020 and No.81401329)Beijing Sci-Tech Program (No.Z171100000417007).
文摘Background:Clinical remission is the treatment target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).This study aimed to investigate clinical remission and related factors in a large cohort of patients with RA.Methods:This study composed of 342 patients with RA.Data were collected by face-to-face interview of 1049 patients with RA who visited the Department of Rheumatology of three teaching hospitals from September 2015 to May 2016.The patients with RA were clinically assessed by rheumatologists and a four-page questionnaire was completed on site.Subsequently,patients fulfilled remission criteria were further analyzed.The practicability of different definitions of remission of RA was rated by a panel of rheumatologists.Sustained intensive disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment was defined as a combination treatment with two or more DMARDs for at least 6 months.Results:In this cohort of 342 patients with RA,the proportions of patients achieving remission were 38.0%,29.5%,24.9%,21.1%,19.0%,18.1%,and 17.0%,based on criteria of disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) using CRP (DAS28-CRP),DAS28 using ESR (DAS28-ESR),routine assessment of patient index data 3 (RAPID-3),Boolean,simplified disease activity index (SDAI),clinical disease activity index,and the newly described clinical deep remission (CliDR),respectively.Boolean and CliDR are the best in practicability scored by rheumatologists (7.5 and 8.0,respectively).Compared with the non-sustained intensive group,sustained intensive treatment with DMARDs yielded higher remission rates of 25.6%,23.8%,and 21.3% in patients with RA based on Boolean (χ^2=3.937,P=0.047),SDAI (χ^2=4.666,P=0.031),and CliDR criteria (χ^2=4.297,P=0.038).The most commonly prescribed conventional synthesized DMARDs (csDMARDs) in patients with RA was leflunomide,followed by methotrexate,and hydroxychloroquine.Compared with the non-remission group,patients achieving remission had a longer median duration of DMARDs (45.0 [22.8–72.3] months,Z=-2.295,P=0.022).Conclusions:The findings in this study indicated that clinical deep remission is achievable in patients with RA.Sustained intensive DMARD treatment is needed to achieve a better outcome in RA.
文摘A 30-year-old female patient with coexisting ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed and treated. The human leukocyte antigen （HLA）-B27 is a predisposing factor of ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-DR4 is a predisposing factor of rheumatoid arthritis. This patient was HLA-B27 and HLA-DR4 positive, and ankylosing spondylitis manifested before rheumatoid arthritis. After disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs successfully arrested ankylosing spondylitis activity the patient conceived and delivered a healthy baby. One year later, she developed peripheral polyarthritis and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. We hypothesized that pregnancy may be one of the environmental factors that can activate rheumatoid arthritis, and that disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs play an important role in keeping the disease under control.
