Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition which causes inflammation in synovial joints. Patients experience pain, stiffness and swelling commonly in their hands and feet, but it can also be a systemic disease which affects the heart, lungs and eyes in some patients. It is more common in women than men, and the peak age for diagnosis is around 70 years; however, it can affect all ages. Early diagnosis and treatment should be prompt to reduce the chance of permanent damage to the joints, as this will cause functional impairment and affect quality of life, and work/leisure activities (Heidari, 2011).
A treat-to-target strategy aims to achieve remission or low disease activity by up-titrating medication from the point of diagnosis, thus minimising the impact of the disease (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2018).This strategy only works
if patients take the prescribed medication. The nurse’s role is vital in supporting patients’ understanding of the medications and advising on how to manage side-effects.