Effect of Adherence to Protocolized Targeted Intensifications of Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on Treatment Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from an Australian Early Arthritis Cohort.

Objective: To investigate the association between adherence to treat-to-target (T2T) protocol and disease activity, functional outcomes, and radiographic outcomes in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Data from a longitudinal cohort of patients with early RA were used. Adherence was determined at each followup visit over 3 years according to predefined criteria.

Response-driven combination therapy with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can achieve high response rates in early rheumatoid arthritis with minimal glucocorticoid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of combination therapy in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with dose adjustments determined by response, in a clinic setting over 3 years.

Methods: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive patients with RA of median duration of 12 weeks (n = 61) attending an early arthritis clinic were treated with methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, and fish oil. Dosage adjustments and additions of further DMARDs were contingent on response to therapy and tolerance.

Reactive joint symptoms following an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 135a.

Objective: To quantify the incidence and clinical features of reactive arthritis (ReA) developing in a cohort exposed to an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 135a, and factors affecting host susceptibility to ReA.

Methods: A screening questionnaire was mailed to 493 patients with confirmed Salmonella infection. Musculoskeletal symptoms and extraarticular manifestations of ReA were quantified.