EULAR points to consider for the management of difficult-to-treat-rheumatoid arthritis (Part 8)
Allow me to continue our discussion on the guidelines to the management of difficult to treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA).
In the management of D2T RA, the serum and/or urine drug level measurements
may be used to determine the adherence of the patient to treatment.
If suboptimal adherence is present, this might be explained by various factors. The unintentional and intentional non-adherence are common in RA. The patient’s evaluation of the risk–benefit ratio of the selected medicines is important.
Therefore, treatment adherence remains highly important.
Other healthcare professionals such as nurses experienced with patients with RA,
psychologists and pharmacists, may also be involved in these discussions in respect to treatment adherence.
As non-adherence is a sensitive topic, the patient should be made to feel safe and make
them understand the impact of suboptimal adherence to treatment.
In our next edition, we will be dealing on the use of the different disease modifying anti-rheumatism drugs and other medicines that can help treat D2T RA.