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Rheumatology

Rheumatoid arthritis

Treat to target with methotrexate from diagnosis, short-term glucocorticoid bridging, then biologic or JAK inhibitor escalation under PBS rules. Screen before immunosuppression, watch for extra-articular disease (ILD, vasculitis, Felty syndrome) and manage cardiovascular risk and pregnancy.

Tier 1Condition

Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made

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At a glance

  • A chronic, symmetric, erosive synovitis of the small joints that affects about 0.5 to 1% of adults in population studies (self-report is higher: 2.0% of Australians in the 2022 National Health Survey, AIHW), women two to three times more often than men.
  • The diagnosis and the early referral window (rheumatology within 6 weeks of onset) are covered in Approach to polyarthritis. This note covers what happens next.
  • Treat to target: start methotrexate at diagnosis with a short glucocorticoid bridge, review every 1 to 3 months, and escalate if the target isn't reached by 6 months.

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Last updated
14 November 2026
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