[Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

Basic principles of drug treatment for rheumatoid arthritis are described. Nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs are available and efficacious and part of almost each therapeutic approach. Corticosteroids have antiinflammatory and symptomatic properties with fast signs of improvement and potential anti-erosive action. Methotrexate, sulfasalazine, chloroquine, azathioprin, cyclosporin and leflunomide are the most frequently administered disease modifying antirheumatic drugs with delayed clinical effects. The biologic agents (anticytokines) offer new opportunities because they inhibit proinflammatory cytokines activity and very first stages of inflammation. Combination therapy of almost all drugs is eligible if it is efficacious and not increasing risk of adverse events. The outcome of rheumatoid arthritis is related to early diagnosis and early treatment with monitoring of efficacy and adverse events.