Which class of medications is used to modify the disease course in rheumatoid arthritis?

Which class of medications is used to modify the disease course in rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. DMARDs.
• B. NSAIDs.
• C. Antibiotics.
• D. Antihistamines.

Answer: (A)

DMARDs are used to modify the disease course in rheumatoid arthritis because they target the underlying immune-driven inflammation that drives joint damage. Unlike NSAIDs, which mainly relieve pain and stiffness, DMARDs slow or halt radiographic progression and erosive damage, helping preserve joint function and long-term outcomes. They work through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation, reducing cytokine activity, or depleting pathogenic immune cells, to suppress the inflammatory process at its source. Early and ongoing DMARD therapy can lead to remission or low disease activity in many patients. The other options don’t alter the disease trajectory. NSAIDs relieve symptoms without changing joint damage. Antibiotics are not a treatment for RA. Antihistamines target allergic symptoms, not inflammatory processes in RA.

DMARDs are used to modify the disease course in rheumatoid arthritis because they target the underlying immune-driven inflammation that drives joint damage. Unlike NSAIDs, which mainly relieve pain and stiffness, DMARDs slow or halt radiographic progression and erosive damage, helping preserve joint function and long-term outcomes. They work through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation, reducing cytokine activity, or depleting pathogenic immune cells, to suppress the inflammatory process at its source. Early and ongoing DMARD therapy can lead to remission or low disease activity in many patients.

The other options don’t alter the disease trajectory. NSAIDs relieve symptoms without changing joint damage. Antibiotics are not a treatment for RA. Antihistamines target allergic symptoms, not inflammatory processes in RA.