What is a common treatment approach for rheumatoid arthritis?

What is a common treatment approach for rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. Surgical intervention
• B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• C. Physical rehabilitation
• D. Medication management

Answer: (B)

In the context of treating rheumatoid arthritis, the most common approach focuses on alleviating symptoms and managing the disease progression through medication management. This typically involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics which aim to reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage. Cognitive-behavioral therapy plays a supportive role in managing chronic illnesses by helping patients cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of their condition. While it can be beneficial for stress management and coping strategies, it is not primarily recognized as a treatment for the physical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, physical rehabilitation, while important for improving mobility and function, is often a complementary treatment rather than the primary approach. Surgical intervention is usually considered when other methods have failed to control severe symptoms or if joint damage has occurred, making it less common as a first-line treatment strategy. Therefore, medication management stands out as the most recognized and effective approach for the ongoing treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, addressing both symptoms and the underlying autoimmune process of the disease.

In the context of treating rheumatoid arthritis, the most common approach focuses on alleviating symptoms and managing the disease progression through medication management. This typically involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics which aim to reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy plays a supportive role in managing chronic illnesses by helping patients cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of their condition. While it can be beneficial for stress management and coping strategies, it is not primarily recognized as a treatment for the physical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Additionally, physical rehabilitation, while important for improving mobility and function, is often a complementary treatment rather than the primary approach. Surgical intervention is usually considered when other methods have failed to control severe symptoms or if joint damage has occurred, making it less common as a first-line treatment strategy.

Therefore, medication management stands out as the most recognized and effective approach for the ongoing treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, addressing both symptoms and the underlying autoimmune process of the disease.