Treating rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the world's population and can lead to loss of joint function, reduced mobility, and permanent damage to cartilage and bone. Treatment options for RA primarily include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, but the development of new drugs has complicated treatment decisions. Weighing treatment options for patients with RA largely depends on three major factors: efficacy, adverse reaction profile, and cost. A review of the literature supports methotrexate monotherapy as the current best-practice model for treating RA, compared with combination therapy of methotrexate and/or other DMARDs.

49 years of normal functioning Starr-Edwards aortic valve prosthesis.

Although it is no longer in production, the Starr-Edwards valve has successfully replaced hundreds of thousands of heart valves in the past 50 years of its use. We report on the case of a valve in the aortic position still functioning 49 years after implantation without replacement, showcasing the valve's durability.