Therapeutic approaches to the treatment of rheumatoid disease.

Successful treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis demands an understanding of the rationale, clinical use, and side effects of the various antirheumatic modalities. Most patients can be treated effectively with salicylates or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, although some with more serious disease require the addition of a slow-acting agent such as gold, d-penicillamine, or methotrexate.