First Latin American position paper on the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

摘要: Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that involves synovial joints, resulting in severe dysfunction or burden for individual patients, families and society. Latin American Rheumatology Associations have acknowledged its relevance recognized multiple limitations diagnosis treatment America the Caribbean. This document underscores issues regarding impact of this these countries. Objectives To develop consensus may unify guide pharmacological management RA Methods An Executive Committee appointed by Epidemiology, Arthritis Radiology Committees Pan-American League Association (PANLAR), held meeting at Lisbon May 2003. The goal was to establish task force development on RA. Efforts focused problems encountered region availability appropriate guidelines clinical practice. A secondary objective diffusion conclusions recommendations participating Results Six major were identified discussion six working groups. All registered PANLAR invited participate consensus. members well-represented each group. Coordinators essential literature be reviewed, analysed, electronically discussed before meeting. Conclusions consensus' results effort delineate are contained article, which has been reviewed participant societies authors during 2004/2005 endorsed PANLAR.