Hours of learning: 2

Publication date: 2008

Aim
To manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis, adopting an evidence-based approachto therapy thereby ensuring optimal patient care.

Intended learning outcomes
Having completed this course you should be able to:

• list the signs and symptons of rheumatoid arthritis
• manage the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis using paracetamol, NASAIDs, opioids and corticosteroids
• describe best practice in the use of DMARDs
• review the place in therapy of the biological DMARDs
• recognise the possible side-effects and toxicities of drugs used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.