EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: CONCEPT OF EARLY DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT

This review provides novel information on pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches
to early rheumatoid arthritis. TA possibility of affecting the natural course of this disease using early, aggressive disease-modifying
antirheumatic therapy is discussed. Rapid and sustained disease control with biologics was shown in recent
placebo-controlled studies. The novel original preparations containing ultra-low doses of antibodies against tumor necrosis
factor-a (TNF-a) and interferon-g (INF-g) were approved for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Our previous investigations have
confirmed good efficacy and safety of ultra-low anti-TNF-a preparation (artrofoon) and its combination with ultra-low anti-INF-g (anaferon) in long-term rheumatoid arthritis therapy. The possibility of preventing disease progression prevention
using these drugs in early rheumatoid arthritis should be assessed.

early rheumatoid arthritis, therapy, ultra-low doses, anti-TNF-α, anti-INF-γ, artrofoon, anaferon