THREE new classes of drugs available to treat rheumatoid arthritis types of arthritis - tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - are equally effective for joint disease in general, based on analysis of previous studies.
From the results of the study suggest that it is better to start with the previous drugs such as methotrexate and then added with the latest treatment if previous treatment does not provide a sufficient response.
Although three drugs - Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab) - has been accepted by the examiner the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating rheumatoid arthritis between 1998 and 2003, not published through a comparative study, Spanish researchers showed it in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Led by Dr. Alberto Alonso-Ruiz at Cruces Hospital in Barakaldo, the research team conducted an analysis of 13 trials for 6 months that involved 7087 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Comparison subjects given methotrexate, a standard treatment for the disease or with an inactive placebo treatment.
TNF-alpha blockers can generally be relied upon their ability to control the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The TNF-alpha blockers provide many benefits when done parallel to the treatment through lifestyle, if the patient has a small response to treatment with methotrexate. The drug offers little additional benefit if methotrexate is working and the drugs also cause side effects.
"Therefore," said Alonso-Ruiz and their representatives concluded, "we recommend recommend initial treatment with TNF-alpha blockers until a sufficient response from methotrxate usage can be documented clearly."
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