2010 | Josef S Smolen, Daniel Aletaha, Johannes W J Bijlsma, Ferdinand C Breedveld, Dimitrios Boumpas, Gerd Burmester, Bernard Combe, Maurizio Cutolo, Maarten de Wit, Maxime Dougados, Paul Emery, Alan Gibofsky, Juan Jesus Gomez-Reino, Boulos Haroui, Joachim Kalden, Edward C Keystone, Tore K Kvien, Iain McInnes, Emilio Martin-Mola, Carlomaurizio Montecucco, Monika Schoels, Desiree van der Heijde
The international task force on treating rheumatoid arthritis to target (T2T) developed 10 recommendations based on evidence and expert opinion to guide optimal treatment. The primary goal is to achieve clinical remission, defined as the absence of significant inflammatory disease activity. If remission is not achievable, low disease activity (LDA) is an acceptable alternative, especially in long-standing disease. Treatment should be adjusted every 3 months until the target is reached, with regular disease activity assessments. Composite measures of disease activity, including joint counts, are essential for treatment decisions. Structural changes and functional impairment should also be considered in clinical decisions. The desired treatment target should be maintained throughout the disease course. The choice of disease activity measures and target values should consider comorbidities, patient factors, and drug risks. Patients must be informed about the treatment target and strategy. The recommendations emphasize the importance of shared decision-making between patients and rheumatologists, and the use of validated composite measures to guide treatment. The consensus was based on a systematic literature review and expert opinion, with high levels of agreement among experts. The recommendations aim to improve outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis by focusing on disease activity and achieving remission or LDA. The guidelines are intended for use by patients, rheumatologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal care.The international task force on treating rheumatoid arthritis to target (T2T) developed 10 recommendations based on evidence and expert opinion to guide optimal treatment. The primary goal is to achieve clinical remission, defined as the absence of significant inflammatory disease activity. If remission is not achievable, low disease activity (LDA) is an acceptable alternative, especially in long-standing disease. Treatment should be adjusted every 3 months until the target is reached, with regular disease activity assessments. Composite measures of disease activity, including joint counts, are essential for treatment decisions. Structural changes and functional impairment should also be considered in clinical decisions. The desired treatment target should be maintained throughout the disease course. The choice of disease activity measures and target values should consider comorbidities, patient factors, and drug risks. Patients must be informed about the treatment target and strategy. The recommendations emphasize the importance of shared decision-making between patients and rheumatologists, and the use of validated composite measures to guide treatment. The consensus was based on a systematic literature review and expert opinion, with high levels of agreement among experts. The recommendations aim to improve outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis by focusing on disease activity and achieving remission or LDA. The guidelines are intended for use by patients, rheumatologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal care.