Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Optimizing Pharmacotherapeutic Management Strategies (ACPE)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder in which joints, typically those in the hands and feet, become inflamed, swollen, painful, and stiff. Without appropriate treatment, the inflammation may become chronic and cause irreversible destruction of bone and cartilage in the affected joints as well as contribute to the development of clinically important co-morbid conditions with attendant morbidity and mortality. The National Arthritis Data Workgroup estimates that about 1.3 million U.S. adults (0.6% of the adult population) have RA. RA imposes a considerable disease burden. Patients with RA have substantially lower health-related quality of life (QOL) than the general population with lower overall scores for physical and mental health across all age groups.The RA disease burden also is associated with increased health care resource utilization. Notably, RA patients with low QOL are twice as likely to be hospitalized as RA patients with high QOL.

Some have suggested that criteria used for the past two decades are inadequate for addressing the disease burden of RA because by the time a physician detects rheumatoid nodules or radiographic erosion, the optimal time has passed for treatment initiation, representing a gap in care relating to diagnosis of disease. Another potential gap is illustrated by studies in which researchers demonstrated that a systematic, objective approach to therapy with Disease Activity Score-driven therapy yields superior outcomes to routine care.

Credit Designation:

ScientiaCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. This program is approved for 0.75 hours of continuing education. Proof of participation will be posted to your NABP CPE profile within 4 to 6 weeks to participants who have successfully completed the post-test. Participants must participate in the entire presentation and complete the course evaluation to receive continuing pharmacy education credit.