Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis continues to represent an important factor of deterioration in the health of people suffering from this condition despite recent medical advances in their treatment. Additionally, its significant social and economic impact it is recognized. The Costa Rican Association of Rheumatology published in 2010 the first guidelines for the management of this disease. In the present work, this first document is updated, through an exhaustive review of the available and relevant scientific information to date. This review aims to standardize and optimize the care of rheumatoid arthritis in Costa Rica. It includes recommendations for evaluation of patients, follow-up and treatment. There is also a review of drug options available in the country, i.e., symptoms-modifying drugs, conventional disease modifying drugs, as well as biological agents and small molecules.

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis; management guides; clinimetrics; biological therapy