Egyptian guidelines for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis — 2022 update

Abstract

Abstract Background Busy rheumatologists, and busy patients as well as policy makers, require accurate, succinct, transparent, easily digested summaries of evidence and recommendations for management. Our objective was to develop an up-to-date evidence-based, consensus, clinical practice guidelines for treat-to-target management of rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Results Ninety-four (94.7%) of the expert committee completed the 2-round e-Delphi surveys. A total of 33 recommendation items, addressing the main rheumatoid arthritis (RA) domains, were identified. The level of agreement (rate 7–9), for the statements which reached consensus, ranged from 85 to 100%. Consensus was achieved on the wording of all the clinical practice guidelines identified by the scientific committee. A management algorithm for the management of rheumatoid arthritis have been developed. Conclusion These updated recommendations reflect the most recent evidence for the management of RA. It also outlines the multidisciplinary team role in enhancing the RA patients’ care. The recommendations offer strategies to achieve optimum treat-to-target outcomes. However, standards of care are defined based on the clinical data obtained for individual patients and are prone to modification. High-quality, broad scope evidence-based clinical practice guidelines offer a path for bridging the gap between best practice, policy, local settings and patients’ choice.

Keywords

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• DMARDs
• Biologic therapy
• Treatment guidelines
• Treat to target