Why is the rheumatoid arthritis patient placed on chemotherapy?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation and damage to the joints. Chemotherapy is typically not used to treat RA, as it is primarily used to treat cancer.

RA is managed through various medications and therapies aimed at reducing inflammation, preventing joint damage, and relieving pain. Some common treatments for RA include:

- Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These medications are the primary treatment for RA and work by slowing the progression of the disease and preventing joint damage. Examples of DMARDs include methotrexate, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine.

- Biologic therapies: Also known as biologics, these are injectable medications that target specific components of the immune system involved in RA inflammation. Some biologic therapies used for RA treatment include adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), etanercept (Enbrel), and rituximab (Rituxan).

- Targeted synthetic DMARDs: These newer medications, such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and baricitinib (Olumiant), work by blocking specific inflammatory pathways in the body.

- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are commonly used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by RA.

- Corticosteroids: These medications, like prednisone, can help reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms in RA. However, they are usually used in lower doses and for short durations due to potential side effects.

Rheumatologists, specialists in diagnosing and managing rheumatic diseases, carefully assess each patient's condition and adjust treatments accordingly. The choice of medication or combination of therapies depends on the severity of the disease, individual response, and balancing efficacy with potential side effects.