A 62-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis presents with increasing joint pain and morning stiffness lasting 2 hours. She is currentl...

Question

A 62-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis presents with increasing joint pain and morning stiffness lasting 2 hours. She is currently taking regular NSAIDs only. According to contemporary management principles, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Commence a conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (csDMARD) such as methotrexate

Answer

Continue NSAIDs alone as long as pain is controlled

Answer

Start long-term oral corticosteroids without other therapy

Answer

Use opioids for chronic pain control

Answer

Advise rest and avoid exercise to protect joints

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Rheumatoid arthritis disease-modifying therapy

A 62-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis presents with increasing joint pain and morning stiffness lasting 2 hours. She is currently taking regular NSAIDs only. According to contemporary management principles, what is the most appropriate next step?