Anti rheumatic drugs more effective on children

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Medications known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, appear to be more effective than other treatments for children with arthritis, but there is not enough evidence to support one kind of DMARD over another, according to a new report from HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The report compared DMARDs with conventional treatments such as ibuprofen and steroids. It found that DMARDs are more effective than other treatments for improving symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but the evidence was unclear about their long-term effectiveness and safety.

The new comparative effectiveness review was prepared for AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program by the Duke Evidence-based Practice Center. To accompany the new report, AHRQ also released today summary publications for consumers and clinicians explaining juvenile arthritis and options for treatment. The report and the companion guides are available at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov.

Ref and Read more: http://www.kten.com/story/15551903/report-finds-dmards-effective-in-treating-juvenile-arthritis

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