Clinical update on rheumatoid arthritis

In his latest Clinical Update, Gary Culliton outlines factors distinguishing the inflammatory arthropathies and examines the benefits of biologic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. Consultant rheumatologist Dr Anne Barbara Mongey spoke about inflammatory arthropathies and the factors distinguishing them at St Vincent’s Private Hospital’s recent GP education evening. A history of pain and swelling localised to joints and an increase in inflammatory markers point to an inflammatory arthropathy. To some degree, the diagnosis of a specific type of inflammatory arthropathy is less relevant; most of the agents used now tend to treat all types. However, some treatments are better for certain…