In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the benefits of tight control of inflammation to prevent or delay joint erosion are clear. Markers predictive of erosive disease enable physicians to identify those patients who would benefit most from aggressive therapy, thus avoiding unnecessary risks and costs associated with this intensive treatment approach. This Review discusses various prognostic factors as well as issues that confound their identification and application.
- Alla Skapenko
- Iryna Prots
- Hendrik Schulze-Koops