These are copies of talks that have been presented as part of patient education afternoons to provide useful information about arthritis. To open the relevant page click on the icon.
Arthritis
Disease management
How can physiotherapy help
Occupational therapy in rheumatology
Hand and wrist exercise programme
Role of Podiatry
Managing a flare and patient advice line
Frequently asked questions
Presentations on disease management:
Treating arthritis
Using pain relief effectively in arthritis
Joint protection and fatigue management
Diet and complimentary
Drug information on DMARDs
Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with well-established medications but new treatments are constantly being developed. First line treatment of any arthritis is usually anti-inflammatory tablets but frequently this is not enough to control the disease. Painkillers such as paracetamol or codeine often helps but this does not have anti-inflammatory action but is useful for pain relief in addition to, or instead of, an anti-inflammatory tablets. Second-line drugs such as Sulphasalazine and Methotrexate are used to control symptoms and to slow down the progression of the disease. This is important because the longer the disease persists the more the joints get damaged. Once damaged, they heal very poorly, so it is vital to prevent the damage occurring.
Further information on the individual disease modifying drugs we use are available by clicking on patient information and then the icon for drug information. Biologic drugs – are a new group of drugs used for severe arthritis. Analgesics (painkillers) – such as paracetamol or codeine. These help to relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs – relieve pain, stiffness and swelling in joints.
Drug information
Azathiaprine
Ciclosporine
Hydroxychloroquine
Myocrisin injection
Oral Gold
Penicillimine
Prednisolone
Sulfazalazine
Inflammatory arthritis drug information leaflet
Additional drug information
Arthritis Research UK provides patients with information on what arthritis is and information on the drugs used to treat the condition.
They also provide patient information for biological drugs:
Abatacept
Adalimumab
Certolizumab pegol
Etanercept
Golimumab
Infliximab
Rituximab
Tocilizumab
They also provide patient information for disease modifying drugs:
Azathiaprine
Ciclosporin
Cyclophosphamide
Gold injections (Myocrisin)
Hydroxychloroquine
Leflunomide
Methotrexate
Mycophenolate
Sulfasalazine
Blood Monitoring
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can cause side effects and require regular monitoring. DMARDs are excreted mainly through the liver and kidneys and can have adverse affects on either organ and the blood. Regular blood tests are important both to check for side effects and to monitor your disease activity and if you are responding to treatment. Blood tests can be taken at the hospital pathology department but many GP practices also provide this service – if this would be more convenient for you please check that your surgery offers this service. For patients on DMARDs regular blood tests usually include the following: full blood count (FBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), liver function tests (LFTs), C-reactive protein (CRP) and sometimes kidney function tests (urea and electrolytes U&E).
