China News Service, Beijing, July 25 (Reporter Li Yanan) It has been rainy in recent days. Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are worried about whether the disease will suddenly recur or worsen. How to control the symptoms?
Professor Li Mengtao, deputy director of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, pointed out in a recent interview that rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic and highly disabling autoimmune disease. Infection and injury may be predisposing factors, and one of the most important ways to control the disease is to pay attention to treatment that meets the standard. According to epidemiological inference, there are currently about 5 million patients with rheumatoid arthritis in China. As a progressive joint disease, if joint inflammation is not well controlled, it will cause damage to articular cartilage and bone. Once joint damage occurs, it is basically irreversible.
"The main manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis are joint pain, joint swelling, joint tenderness, and morning stiffness." Professor Li Mengtao introduced that the high incidence of rheumatoid arthritis is 30-50 years old, and the incidence of men and women is about 1:4. "In the past, there were very few professional doctors in rheumatism and immunology. Some patients were easy to seek remedies, including some powerful pills, hormones, etc. because of lack of information. Now many patients know that rheumatoid arthritis should go to the rheumatoid immunology department for formal diagnosis and treatment."
However, many patients still have "misunderstandings" in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Misunderstanding one, blindly believe that rheumatoid arthritis can be cured quickly. Professor Li Mengtao said that patients need to recognize and accept that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease like diabetes and hypertension and requires long-term treatment. Some patients have insufficient knowledge of this disease and cannot adhere to long-term standard treatment. Blindly trying irregular treatment methods and thinking that a radical cure can be obtained, not only loses money, but also easily delays the treatment time.
Misunderstanding two, stop the medicine without joint pain. Professor Li Mengtao revealed that some patients felt strong pain when they first came for treatment, so they could follow the doctor's instructions for diagnosis and treatment on time. After a period of treatment, they found that their symptoms had alleviated, so they stopped the medication and stopped treatment. However, the improvement of the clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is not the same as the "standard treatment". Painless may be just a superficial phenomenon. Stopping medications that relieve the condition at will may cause the disease to continue to develop.
Misunderstanding three, worry about more effective drugs. Professor Li Mengtao said that there is the best "window of treatment" for rheumatoid arthritis, but some patients have the mentality to save more effective drugs until the end, and worry that once the drugs are used, they will never stop. In fact, the current emphasis on "standard treatment" has a series of indicators for comprehensive evaluation of the condition. After reaching the standard, the drug may be reduced or even stopped according to the relief of symptoms.
Professor Li Mengtao also mentioned that the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in recent years is no longer limited to controlling symptoms, but to block the course of the disease and bone destruction, prevent disability, and improve the quality of life of patients. To achieve this goal, the key is to achieve "standard treatment." In the latest edition of the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in China", it is emphasized that patients should receive "standard treatment", that is, to achieve clinical remission or achieve low disease activity through treatment.
In addition, the improvement of drug availability is also the key to improving the compliance rate. Currently, drugs for treating rheumatoid arthritis are divided into several categories. The first category is traditional chemically synthesized anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs); the second category is biological agents; the third category is small molecule targeted drugs.
Professor Li Mengtao said that with the continuous acceleration of the approval and listing of new drugs in China and the adjustment of national medical insurance negotiations and catalogues, the overall availability of drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is continuously improving. In addition, the current routes of administration are more diverse. In addition to traditional biological preparations subcutaneously or intravenously, there are more convenient oral drugs, such as JAK1/2 inhibitors (baritinib tablets), which can improve patient compliance. , Economic benefits and other aspects.
"In the future, there is no need to mention that rheumatoid arthritis is an'immortal cancer'." Professor Li Mengtao emphasized that early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and adherence to standard treatment can be controlled and allow patients to have a quality life.
He pointed out that when the current shortage of doctors in rheumatology and immunology has not been completely resolved, the medical community and medical consortium should be fully utilized to strengthen early diagnosis at the grassroots level. Patients can also use online remote diagnosis and treatment with doctors to conduct treatment plans. Fully communicate. (Finish)