Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

After reading this Essential CPE module and completing the assessment, pharmacists should be able to:

• Describe the immune dysfunction that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis

• Recognise the risk factors for developing rheumatoid arthritis and the markers for more severe disease

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of early rheumatoid arthritis and the clinical manifestations of developed disease

• Recognise the importance of early diagnosis and the impact of untreated disease for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis

• Briefly describe the different types of arthritis that affect children

• Briefly describe the diagnosis, pathology and radiology and the criteria that are applied in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

• Identify the treatment aims and goals in rheumatoid arthritis

• Describe the therapies used to treat acute flares of rheumatoid arthritis

• Describe the different pharmacotherapy options available in the management of mild, moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis

• Recognise the importance of combination DMARD therapy in the management of moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis

• Recognise the monitoring of the most often used medicines in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.